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The Aging Eye
What You Can Do to Prevent and Treat Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eye Syndrome Floaters, Flashers, and more...
By the Harvard Medical School

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The Aging Eye

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The Aging Eye
What You Can Do to Prevent and Treat Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eye Syndrome Floaters, Flashers, and more...
By the Harvard Medical School
Fireside Books, 2001 - Standard Print
ISBN: 0-7432-1503-6
Genre: Health - Vision
Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness - March 13, 2002

Although you use them every day, it is easy to forget about your eyes. That is, until they stop working properly. For many, the worse problem that they ever suffer is that they become a little nearsighted or farsighted, both conditions which can be easily corrected with eyeglasses or contact lense, or sometime with laser surgery. However, as we age, so to do our eyes and they can develop problems that cannot be corrected with lenses. The Aging Eye provides a comprehensive overview of the eye - how it functions, problems that can arise, and treatment options for common eye problems.

Providing a general introduction to the eye, this book from the Harvard Medical School lucidly explains how the eye works and the changes that the eye undergoes as it ages. This book includes diagrams detailing the eye's anatomy, and it also explains what to expect when you go to your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.

This book addresses a number of common eye complaints that can arise as the eyes age, such as presbyopia, floaters, flashers, dry eyes, ptosis, blepharochalasis, and retinal detachment. In each case, the book offers a brief overview about what the condition is, its symptoms, and how is treated. When applicable, this book also discusses the steps that can be taken to prevent the condition arising in the first place. Besides these brief overviews, the book also devotes considerable space to three of the most common conditions that can arise as the eye's age. These conditions, cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are discussed in detail. And, advice is offered on how the conditions are diagnosed and treated, including surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

Many conditions discussed in this book can lead to permanent vision loss, even with proper treatment. As a result, the book includes a brief overview on living with low vision, and the variety of aids available that can help you continue to pursue all your normal activities, even with vision loss. There is also a chapter on steps you can take to help safeguard your sight. As well, included is a list of common 'eye related' myths and a list of drugs used to treat glaucoma and dry eye syndrome and their common side effects. Also included is a glossary of common eye terms, and a resource list of organizations that deal with eye-related issues.

This book is written for a general audience and it provides a readable overview of the most common issues that can arise as the eye ages. This book does not, however, cover every possibility. The eye is a complex machine and as we age, a variety of 'parts' can begin to deteriorate. What The Aging Eye does provide is an excellent introduction to the eye, and the most common problems that affect it. The Aging Eye offers advice and information that will provide you with a solid foundation that you can build upon as you learn more about the eye. It will also give you the ability to speak with your eye doctor intelligently, and will help you to take an active role in maintaining your eye-health.

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