Book Review THE GEOMETRICAL OPTICS WORK- BOOK. By David S. Loshin. Published by Butterworth-Heinemann: Boston, 1991. 202pp. $24.95. One of the foundations of optometry as a health discipline is the understanding of the theory and application of optics as it relates to the eye and visual system. This has always been a matter of pride for optometrists, yet nothing in the optometric curriculum matches geometrical optics in its ability to strike terror in the hearts of many beginning optometry stu- dents. It is frustrating to both the student and the teacher when the fundamentals of mathe- matics, geometry and physics needed to master geometrical optics and its applications in first year optometry have been forgotten or, worse still, are missing from a long, extensive (and expensive!) pre-optometric education. It is unfortunate that this situation is becoming more and more prevalent. Loshin, who teaches optics at the College of Optometry at the University of Houston, is familiar with this vexing situation. His work- book is aimed at the optometry student who is looking for help in learning (or relearning) how to solve problems in geometrical optics. In ten chapters that follow the typical curriculum for a first-year optometry course in geometrical optics, Loshin presents a series of key concepts and definitions, illustrated with computer-generated line drawings, and then a series of sample problems. Building on previous concepts, each problem is simply stated, and the information is then presented with a supplemental diagram and a list of what is known. ‘The object of the calcula- tion is stated, and the reader is referred to the appropriate equation or part of the text. Each step in the calculation is accompanied by an 1040.5485/947101-208483.00/0 Orroutetny ano Vision SexENCE Copyright © 1964 American ‘Academy of Optamets explanatory note. The problems increase in complexity as the reader progresses through the chapters and builds confidence. At the end of the chapter, a series of supplementary problems with answers is provided, grouped according to topic. Loshin candidly states that "The major prob- Jem many individuals have with optics stems from a weak background in mathematics, especially algebra and trigonometry.” Other problems that many optometry students have with opties calculations in this day of electronic calculators include dimensional analysis, signifi- cant digits, principles of ray tracing, and sign conventions. Loshin addresses these effectively, but the fact that he must do so is an indictment, of an educational system which has lost sight of the fundamentals of mathematics and science in the politically correct world of liberal science. A perusal of optics problems posed to optometry students of 20 or more years ago shows how far our expectations of the optics knowledge of today’s optometry students have fallen. It is a warning flag for optometry school admission and curriculum committees about the continuing erosion of the importance of optics, and by extension, of mathematies and physical science, in the education of future optometrists. The Geometrical Optics Workbook is certainly not a stand-alone textbook, but it does fill an important void in the optometric student's library. Tt will not help every student who is floundering in optics, but as Loshin writes, it will help many who think passing optics is an impossible task. REVIEWER'S ADDRESS: 8. Ralph Chou ‘Schoo! of Optomety University of Waterioo Waterco, Ontario N2L SG