One of the most common question that pops up in our minds when starting our vitreo-retina fellowship is "What books should we be studying?". No one really gives you any specific answers as there is none, given the abundance of literature on the subject. However, there are a few books that I consider to be very essential in building concepts regarding disease pathology and basic surgically principles in the domain of vitreo-retina. 

Having said this, below is a list of books that I consider "Must-read":

1. Ryan Retina:

It is almost a no-brainer to put this amazing book on the list and I am quite sure I have not surprised anyone. But given the amount of information this book exudes onto the reader without any particular effort is still something worth mentioning time and again. The three volumes of this book cover the entire subspecialty quite extensively.  Volume one includes topics on basic anatomy and physiology of the vitreous and retina along with a detailed explanation of the diagnostic modalities that we use on a day to day basis regarding the same. The second volume covers topics related to medical retina and the third volume has surgical topics along with a few miscellaneous ones. I was particularly impressed with the straightforward language that was used to explain certain key concepts regarding surgery in tractional retinal detachments. This along with easy to understand diagrams makes this a book that is simple to digest and easy to incorporate into practice.  

2. Vitreoretinal Surgical Techniques (by Gholam A. Peyman):

Vitreoretinal Surgical Techniques is the ultimate guide for surgeons dealing with the vitreous and retina. It's not just for trainee ophthalmologists - it has techniques that anyone needing to perform vitreoretinal surgery would find useful. This book provides the guiding principles and explains every step of surgery in detail.   In addition to that, the book provides a concise and practical surgical anatomy of the eye with useful diagrams that one may refer to on a daily basis. Although some of the techniques appear to be somewhat outdated by today's standards, it still remains an essential tool in the box of every vitreo-retinal surgeon.

3. Gass' Atlas of Macular Diseases (By Anita Agarwal): 

Originally written by Dr Donald Gass, this book contains his brilliant work and continues to educate ophthalmologists as well as residents around the world with its extensive coverage of topics pertaining to the macula. The fifth edition has been edited by Dr Anita Agarwal and provides a modern take on the already existing pool of knowledge. The book covers topics on a case by case basis along with a vast array of clinical photographs and diagrams to emphasise the core concepts.  Giving this book a thorough read, especially the initial chapters on basic anatomy and the basis for investigative modalities such as fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) will help in the diagnosis of many conditions in the journey ahead. 

4. Retinal Detachment: Principles and Practice (American Academy of Ophthalmology Monograph Series):

One of the most common diseases that one would come across during their vitreo-retina fellowship is retinal detachments. This book takes into account every aspect of approaching cases of retinal detachments, starting from the basics of performing good indirect ophthalmoscopy to the management of complicated cases.  The unique aspect of this book is the brief and to the point explanations and discussions of basic principles of retinal detachment surgeries. For those who want to start with the basics of retinal detachment surgery, this book is a gem. 

5. The Retinal Atlas:  

An atlas is an indispensable tool that fellows in vitreo-retina can have in their armamentarium. This book has a collection of over 5000 images describing a vast spectrum of diseases as well as investigational tools. The editors are giants in the field of retinal imaging and have made this book a ready reference for any ophthalmologist. 

6. Ultrasound of the Eye and Orbit:

We all know how important a good ultrasound of the posterior segment can be when deciding on the surgery of a patient with a media haze. One cannot be a complete vitreo-retinal surgeon without mastering this low-key essential art. This book provides a detailed explanation of the very basics of ultrasonography and then follows it up with an amazing collection of images that one can use for one's understanding. 

I will be updating this list anytime I find a good book that can add to my knowledge of this domain, so keep looking out for updates!