The Physician's Guide to Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Other Eye Problems [Hardcover]

I picked up this book as part of my current search for information about glaucoma. While this book reinforces much of the information about glaucoma I've picked up from other sources, I found some aspects particularly useful. Conditions that impact on sight can be very stressful for those of us who have taken good vision for granted. For those of us who are excessively print-oriented (as many readers are) the prospect of vision damage or loss can be terrifying.

In this book, the diagrams presenting the anatomy and physiology of the eye are well labelled and easy to follow. Making sense of diagrams can be difficult for those of dealing with any degree of visual impairment, and keeping diagrams free of clutter while conveying all of the necessary information is challenging. The step by step process of diagnosis and treatment is also helpful as it explains what tests might be involved and why. All of this is information that some patients may find useful, and others who are seeking more general information about various eye conditions may find informative.

I found the book informative without being overwhelming. The book contains a good glossary and index. Some of the information on treatments may not be current (the book was published in 1992) but the underlying explanations and diagrams are. As with other books on medical conditions requiring specialist treatment, this book augments professional advice. If you've been diagnosed with glaucoma or with cataracts (or are close to someone who has) you may wish to consider this book.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

*This review is of the first edition of 1978*

Even though he tries to go through "myths" and "facts", which is a great style for this book, I think that John Eden would do well to have made sure about myths and facts himself! Here are just a couple I've found:

1. He categorically states that wearing sunglasses does not damage the eyes. While this may be true in low light, UV rays can damage the eyes. The natural instinct to look away from bright/powerful sunrays may be mitigated by using some shaded glasses while still receiving the full damaging UV dose!!!!

2. He states that glasses for short-sighted people make images smaller... well they don't anymore at least (except maybe the tiniest bit for the most short-sighted of people).

3. He says that contact lenses are a good solution to astigmatism and that they allow better sight than contact lenses.... and yet I have found and been told that glasses always give a little bit better vision (in modern times at least), and in particular because I have slight astigmatism and this is why glasses work even better than for compared to contact lenses!!!

4. He considers it to be a near-perfect solution for bifocalism to put different lenses in each eye and says there are no drawbacks to it. However as anyone who has had to go with only one contact lens in will tell you... this is definitely not ideal and is nowhere near as good as two operating eyes. The second solution he mentioned is farrr superior... the person would wear contacts for his/her short sightedness and then put on strong glasses for reading.

5. He states that dogs only see in black and white when they actually see in red and green. It's hard to imagine how he would get this impression. He then states that no humans are monochromatic or see in black and white... when yes in fact they do!!!

6. "Water cannot harm your eyes"... he says this in different ways numerous times, however water can contain very harmful bacteria that can destroy eyes. I would be wary for example of taking his advice to try to open your eyes under water after getting some type of toxic substance in your eye.

I learned from this book, and it's got a good friendly layout, but this author seemed to rely an awful lot on his own speculation and consequently ends up making numerous errors (which is ironic, because the book is about quashing the popular myths and speculations which he regularly does with his own myths and speculations). For the price it may be good value though.

› Go to Amazon.com to see both reviews  3.5 out of 5 stars