Adler’s Physiology of the Eye, 12th Edition

By: Leonard A Levin & Paul L. Kaufman & Mary Elizabeth Hartnett

ISBN: 9780323834063

Publication Date: June 9, 2024

Reviewer: Rachel Grant, OD (Southern College of Optometry)

Description

This book serves as an easy-to-digest review and update of ocular anatomy and physiology for clinicians, researchers, and students. The book is organized by function, whereas previous editions have been organized by structure. This allows for seamless integration of basic science information with clinical knowledge in way that enhances and refreshes foundational information. The content is broken down into 11 sections and 41 chapters and each chapter contains boxes of clinical highlights pertaining to the material. The previous edition was published in 2011.

Purpose

The purpose of this book is to enhance understanding of structure and functional relationships within the eye and ocular adnexa. In addition, this book serves to highlight new experts and their developments within the field as well as expand understanding of new research and imaging techniques. These worthy objectives serve to provide a more comprehensive resource for all those in the eye care field. The online format includes the full ebook, along with videos for section three. Hyperlinks in the reference section provide direct access to journal articles. The online resources add to the objective of disseminating critical information quickly.

Audience

This book’s primary audience is ophthalmology residents, ophthalmologists, and optometry students. It serves as a good clinical reference for anyone working with ocular pathology or vision research. The numerous section editors and chapter authors are experts from all over the world.

Features

This book provides a unique approach to understanding ocular anatomy and physiology. The revised format and organization of information breaks down broad topics such as protection of the eye to smaller segments in a straightforward manner, allowing visualization of the relationship and significance of the structure to the function. This formatting also helps to  link structures that are not physiologically obviously related. Each chapter has sub-sections that outline the specific content, and the flow of information is cohesive.

Assessment

This book is a great resource to refresh or supplement knowledge on a wide rangeof ocular elements. The information and associated images help to reinforcefoundational concepts in terms of vision development, visual processing, andocular nutrition. It would not serve to replace a clinical handbook such as the Wills Eye Manual: Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease, 8th Edition, Gervasio and Peck (Wolters Kluwer, 2021) asit provides a more detailed review of underlying physiology leading to pathology. At over 800 pages, the physical copy is gorgeous, but the online version may be more practical for quick use.

©Doody’s Review Service, 2025, Rachel Grant, OD (Southern College of Optometry), Doody’s Score: 95 – 4 Stars!

Purchase your copy of Adler’s Physiology of the Eye, 12th Edition here!