Keeping up to date with advances in comprehensive ophthalmology and in the ophthalmic sub-specialties is extremely difficult because of the accelerating rapidity with which new information and technology become available and the diminishing time and opportunity for practitioners and trainees to read and learn. The first edition of Albert and Jakobiec's Principles and Practice (1994) was conceived with the idea of utilizing an electronic, updated version in which the chapters were revised by the chapter authors on an annual or semi-annual basis, but the technology was not sufficiently advanced to achieve this goal. Subsequent editions (2000 and 2008) were organized by Saunders and the last published by Elsevier (of which Springer has obtained the complete rights to move forward with the 4th edition, see attachment). The third edition sold 1950 copies since 2009-2012 plus 21 copies of the ebook were sold in that time. From 2012-2015, 422 copies were sold. The monthly online usage numbers up through 2016 were approximately 3300 views (includes chapter views and downloads). All of these numbers came courtesy of Dr. Albert, via his former Elsevier editor, Russell Gabbedy and Dr. Albert's royalty statements. For more than two decades, this text has provided its readers with authoritative and comprehensive coverage of all facets of ophthalmology, written and edited by a group of authors who represented a "Who's Who" in ophthalmology. By using Springer's Meteor platform, with its ability to allow authors and editors access to updating their chapters online annually/semi-annually, and with the recruitment of select chapter authors, this work's usefulness as the standard text in ophthalmology will be maintained and expanded upon by Springer.
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The 4th edition of this comprehensive and authoritative text is written by hundreds of the most distinguished authorities from around the world and edited by three leaders in the field, providing today's best answers to every question that arises in ones ophthalmology practice. Richly illustrated with thousands of high quality, full color, clinically-relevant images, Albert and Jakobiec's Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology, 4th Edition covers every scientific and clinical principle in ophthalmology, ensuring that the reader will always be able to find the guidance needed to diagnose and manage patients' ocular problems and meet today's standards of care. Written for practicing ophthalmologists and trainees, this book delivers in-depth guidance on new diagnostic approaches, operative techniques, and treatment options, as well as coherent explanations of every new scientific concept and its clinical importance. The 4th edition will prove to be the source every practicing clinician needs to efficiently and confidently overcome any clinical challenge they may face.
Updates include new chapters on anterior and posterior segment diseases, as well as chapters more focused on treatment, plus thousands of new, high-quality, color images and illustrations, updated references, and information on the most cutting-edge technology used by clinicians in their practices today. Additionally, readers will enjoy the same, user-friendly, full-color design they remember from the previous edition, complete with many at-a-glance summary tables, algorithms, boxes, and diagrams that allow the reader to locate the assistance needed more rapidly than ever.
"I am familiar with the book and well recognized authors and Editors. The book in its current form is encyclopedic. Could be more focused on treatment. Long duration between 3rd and the 4th edition necessitates almost complete rework. The proposal hits on the key aspects for a successful textbook. The unique advantages are its name recognition (20 yrs of legacy) and established track record. Would support the proposal." Dr. Arun Singh, Cleveland Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology (Springer's EiO series editor and regular Springer volume editor):
- I shared these comments with the VE's and they have acknowledged that all chapters will be re-worked in one way or another (from basic, updated references to complete re-writes of chapters and updated, clinically relevant, full-color photos).
"...This has always been a very authoritative and prestigious text with encyclopedic knowledge from prestigious authors and contributors. It has served, in the past, as a standard approach for all residents in training, as well as comprehensive ophthalmologists and people in allied fields. Formerly, optometrists did not purchase books, but they do now. My Retinal Atlas is a good example of how they are trying to understand the ophthalmic principles and practices to enhance their profession. One addition to the new version would be imaging...anterior and posterior segment diseases. This would be essential to allow a broad interest and comprehensive training and learning experience." - Dr. Lawrence Yannuzzi, MD, President The Macula Foundation, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Columbia University (current Springer Volume Editor). - I shared these comments with the VE's and they agreed to add the anterior and posterior segment diseases (and had been planning on it)
Reviews of the last edition "The reference by which other ophthalmology texts are judged." ― Archives of Ophthalmology "The current standard in comprehensive ophthalmology textbooks." ― JAMA "A magnificent encyclopedic work...A ready source of information when getting ready to perform a seldom-done surgical procedure or when stumped with an unusual clinical problem." ― Survey of Ophthalmology
"This is a wonderful set of volumes with top quality in their coverage of current ophthalmology, a valuable addition to the library of all ophthalmologists." Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, September 2009
"In 1994, Daniel M. Albert and Frederik A. Jakobiec produced the first edition of this award-winning and esteemed masterwork, which is used by the ophthalmic community worldwide as reference. The third edition... is a 4-volume, 5502-page update of this magnificent encyclopedic work. A highpoint of this new edition is the website access...this is a wonderful set of volumes with top quality in their coverage of current ophthalmology, a valuable addition to the library of all ophthalmologists." - Springer: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol (2009) 247:1437-1438
About the Author: Dan Albert, MD, began his academic career at Yale University and continued at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992 to become department chair, then chair emeritus of ophthalmology and visual sciences, the Frederick Allison Davis Chair; the Lorenz Zimmerman Professor; and founding director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute. Dr. Albert is now a researcher for Oregon Health & Science University and his research focuses on the treatment and prevention of ocular cancers; particularly the use of vitamin D analogues, resveratrol and its analogues, and anti-angiogenic peptides in the treatment and prevention of ocular cancer and in reversing angiogenesis in the wet form of macular degeneration. Joan Miller, MD, is Chief and Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and is an internationally recognized expert on retinal disorders. As a vitreoretinal physician in Mass. Eye and Ear's Retina Service, she treats patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal degenerations, and diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Miller received her medical degree and ophthalmology residency training from Harvard Medical School and then completed fellowships in ophthalmology research and vitreoretinal surgery at Mass. Eye and Ear. Dr. Miller is the first female physician to achieve the rank of Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and the first woman to chair the Department of Ophthalmology. She is also the first woman appointed as Chief of Ophthalmology at both Mass. Eye and Ear and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to these roles and responsibilities, she also co-directs Mass. Eye and Ear's Angiogenesis Laboratory.
Dr. Miller, along with Dr. Evangelos Gragoudas, are credited with developing photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne(R)). This therapy was the first AMD treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and drug regulatory agencies worldwide. In addition, Dr. Miller is recognized for co-discovering the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in eye disease and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of VEGF inhibitors. This work formed the scientific basis of anti-angiogenic ophthalmic therapies, which are widely used to prevent vision loss in AMD and other retinal diseases by blocking abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Dr. Miller continues to conduct research to improve therapeutic options for retinal disease. Dr. Miller has received numerous prestigious awards. For her contributions to the development of anti-angiogenic retinal therapies, she was a co-recipient of the 2014 Antonio Champalimaud Vision Award, which is the highest distinction in ophthalmology and visual science. She also was the first woman to receive the Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology. Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA is Dean in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois and is Professor of Ophthalmology, Bioengineering and Pharmacology as well as the B.A. Field Chair in Ophthalmologic Research. Dr. Azar is an internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon who brings experience in administration, research, education and clinical practice to his position as Dean of the College of Medicine at University of Illinois.
He joined the faculty in 2006 as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Previously he was a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Cornea Service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Senior Scientist at Schepens Eye Institute and a faculty member at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is a leader in basic science and clinically related vision research, making significant contributions to the treatment of corneal diseases and to advances in refractive surgery through mathematical analyses and applications of advanced optics. His basic science research on matrix metalloproteinases in corneal wound healing and angiogenesis has been continually funded by the National Eye Institute R01 award since 1993. Dr. Azar is the author of more than 400 scientific articles and book chapters. He is the editor of 14 books in ophthalmology and holds 15 patents. He has been named one of The Best Doctors in America or recognized among Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors in America annually since 1994. He serves as a trustee for the Chicago Ophthalmological Society and for the Association of Research and Vision in Ophthalmology. Dr. Azar has received multiple leadership awards, including the 2009 Lans Distinguished Award and the University of Illinois at Chicago Scholar Award.
