The present, second edition of this world-renowned, two-volume textbook (hardback) of glaucoma represents a superb continuation of its first edition in the year 2009. One has to congratulate the editors for bringing together 320 contributors, all of them internationally respected experts on glaucoma, to write up the 128 chapters of this two-volume book on 1,202 printed pages. Despite this large number of authors, the various chapters offer a surprising homogenity in structure and layout. The book is perfectly illustrated with an adequate number of figures, tables, and boxes. A very thorough index extending over 164 pages enables further reading of original articles. The collection of update knowledge on glaucoma, a worldwide blinding disease with great socioeconomic impact, is unsurpassable in its completeness. There is no doubt that the original aims of the authors, as well as the expectations of a broad readership, are well- accomplished and make this textbook highly competitive with other publications in the field. The second edition includes ten new chapters marking the forefront of expertise. Each chapter is introduced with a summary box reflecting the essence of its contents. Supplementing many chapters with “spotlights” is an attractive way to highlight points of view by different experts related to the issue of the chapter. This excellent textbook is also available in an easy-to-read eBook version, particularly useful for the glaucoma surgeon as it provides 50 video clips primarily on surgical techniques.

Volume one (Medical Diagnosis & Therapy) covers all non-surgical aspects of glaucomatology, subdivided into eight sections. Section 1 is devoted to glaucoma as a worldwide problem, section 2 to the pathogenesis of the disease; section 3 describes in detail evaluation techniques of glaucoma. Section 4, comprising 15 chapters, concentrates on classification and terminology of the various types of glaucoma. Section 5 deals with the essential principles of disease management, section 6 with medical therapy, and section 7 with emergency care management. Section 8 concludes Volume 1 with new horizons. Chapters on neuroprotection and neurorepair, stem-cell therapy, and gene therapy allow a fascinating look into the future. It is a delight to go through the different sections, chapters, and spotlights of Volume 1 with all its refreshing illustrations.

Volume 2 is the surgical part of the two volumes, comprehensive and profound; no aspect of glaucoma surgery is missing. Section 9 gives an introduction to the subject, followed by section 10 dealing with antiglaucomatous laser surgery. Section 11 is quite extensive, covering 26 chapters focussing on trabeculectomy, acknowledging by its detail that trabeculectomy is still the reference procedure in the field. Highly interesting sections on modulation of wound healing, nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery and management of co-existing cataract and glaucoma follow. The multiplicity of available drainage devices is adequately compiled in section 15. Surgery for congenital glaucoma and cyclodestructive procedures are two further sections very worthwhile to study. Again, in section 18 on devices in development and new procedures, an outlook on the future of glaucoma surgery is presented. A broad series of video clips on most of the surgical techniques is available on www.expertconsult.com. The illustrations in Volume 2 are particularly informative.

In summary, this two-volume glaucoma textbook is of outstanding quality in any respect; its retail price is more than fair for what it offers. It truly deserves wide distribution amongst general ophthalmologists and glaucoma experts alike.