Large Print Reviews - I Hate My Eyeglasses!!, by Amy Arcand

Large Print Reviews

I Hate My Eyeglasses!!
By Amy Arcand

I Hate My Eyeglasses!!
Consumer Guide to Happier Vision
By Amy Arcand, ABO, NCLE, LDO, Board Certified
Illustrations by E. Samuels
Lonefrog Books: Tampa, Florida (2005)
Book's website - www.ihatemyeyeglasses.com
Standard Print ISBN: 0-9769779-0-7
Genre: Health - Vision

Reviewed by Anna Dogole - April 12, 2006

I might hate my eyeglasses, but I definitely love this book! When I first saw Amy Arcand's book, I Hate My Eyeglasses!! I was immediately taken with its title because I've had a love - hate relationship with my eyeglasses for decades! If this book had been around years ago, I may have developed a better relationship with my glasses! Arcand's book is subtitled, a Consumer Guide to Happier Vision. This is exactly what the book is, and so much more...

In this witty and informative book, Arcand who is a licensed optician, explains just about everything you need to know about eyeglasses and contact lenses from how to determine if you need an eye exam to tips on picking out the correct frame, and more important, the correct lenses. She provides details on a number of topics that range from eye care for children, how eyeglasses are made, the various types of safely glasses that are available, the ins and outs of contact lens exams and lens care, and refractive surgery. She also deals with issues related to low vision and blindness, from finding a low vision specialist to low vision aids and the various causes of blindness.

I Hate My Eyeglasses!! is organized thematically, with its twenty-one chapters divided into five main sections:

In the Beginning There Was Light - covering the basics of eye anatomy, eye exams for adults and children, and how to read a prescription.
Eyeglass Arts and Crafts - this section covers such topics as finding an optical shop, picking out a frame, types of lenses that are available and how they are created, and adjusting and repairing eyeglasses.
Safety First, Then Something Special - the chapters in this section cover sunglasses, sports eye wear, safety glasses, special purpose frames and lenses, special issues related to eyeglasses and vision issues for children and seniors.
Alternatives to Eyeglasses - this section explores the world of contacts and refractive surgery - including such uncommon issues as getting contacts for babies.
Low Vision and Blindness - the last chapter in this book is devoted to issues related to low vision and blindness.

The book concludes with an assortment of handy appendices, including a glossary, a directory of vision related organizations, a handy FAQ section, and a tear out shopping guide that will help you to not only compare prices and services when shopping for eyeglasses or contacts, but which will also help you keep track of refund and repair policies of the optical shops you visit.

I Hate My Eyeglasses!! is written in a warm, friendly, knowledgeable style. The information is presented in easy to understand terms, and the main text is enhanced by the inclusion of instructional illustrations. Important factoids are presented in boxed F.Y.Eye, Look Out!, and Eyedea segments that highlight important facts and tips from how to determine which of your eyes is dominant to tips on head-mounted magnifiers. In addition, intriguing History Lessons that explore notable people and events in the world of vision from the development of the first ground lens to the long term consequences of refractive surgery performed on Japanese pilots in the 1940's.

In writing I Hate My Eyeglasses!!, Arcand has performed an invaluable service for anyone who wears or will wear eyeglasses or contacts. After reading this book, I'll never view my eyeglasses the same way! This book will not only make you a more informed consumer, but it empowers you to become a more active participant in your own eye care. I unabashedly love this book and highly recommend it to anyone with eyes, or who knows someone with eyes as even those of you with 20/20 vision, now, may one day need reading glasses as your eye's age!

In addition to this indispensable, one-of-a-kind book, there is a companion website located at: www.ihatemyeyeglasses.com. Not only does this website provide information about the book, but it also offers, among other things, the opportunity for you to write in and have your questions answered concerning your eyes and eye care answered.

Related Reviews:

Self-Advocacy Skills Training for Older Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired, by Alberta L. Orr and Priscilla Rogers.
This three-part kit consisting of a training manual for group leaders, a participant's manual, and a guide for family members. The curriculum in this innovative kit teaches invaluable self-advocacy that will enrich the lives of any older individual learning to cope with vision loss. (printed text, cassettes, and ASCII disk)
The Eye Book: A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health, By Gary H. Cassel, Michael D. Billig, and Harry G. Randall.
A comprehensive resource for information related to the eye; this book provides a general overview of eye health and anatomy, and common eye disorders. (Large Print)

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