Fact and Fiction of Healthy Vision

Every day there are comments made in newsprint, on radio or television about eye care, from promotional pitches to descriptions of new discoveries.  An eye surgeon advertises his services, often in multiple offices, as a specialist in correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, presbyopia and keratoconus.  I wonder how many people know what these conditions are, and why surgery would be involved.  Over the radio, there are statements about someone, frequently the newsman himself, who had been legally blind and made to see 20/20 after getting their eyes fixed by laser.  A lady says she signed up for eye exercises advertised by radio and was able to stop wearing her glasses, which were making her eyes weak.  Another advertisement states that special over the counter eye drops can reduce symptoms of cataract.  A well known radio newsman reports that a lady who used the vitamins he promotes was able to regain her vision.  Then a tennis buddy asks me about his 94 year old father-in-law, who received a hard sell about getting an accommodative intraocular lens implant when his cataract is removed, so that he will not need glasses.  This is in spite of the fact that he has worn glasses without complaint most of his life, and there would be extra costs of $2800 per eye out of pocket, since not covered by medicare.  All these things help emphasize the need for a book like mine, written from a patients standpoint of being able to understand enough about their eyes so as not to be confused or undeservedly swayed by such statements.   

When talking to friends, other doctors, and patients, I have become  progressively impressed that people do not understand simple basic facts about their eyes.  This extends from the need for glasses, health of the eye, eye diseases and alternatives available for seeing better.   

Many people are unnecessarily concerned about their eyes, and others are not even concerned enough to get their eyes examined to see if they need glasses or have eye disease. Parents need to know how to provide good eye care for their children, and themselves when they inevitably are candidates for visual help, usually  glasses.  The news and advertisements currently are full of “new discoveries” and techniques to “improve vision”, usually by” laser”.  It will be helpful to understand how the eye works so as to not be misled by  claims to make the eyes better.  Age related eye problems need understanding. I hope to provide a book that is something people will want to read, cover to cover, and not the typical reference book full of things difficult to understand.

  My plan is to give some basic information in a way so that people can not only educate themselves, but also be able to appreciate the nature of their eye problems, or potential eye problems. I want to attract attention to those who have no eye problems, but want to be alert for early treatment or avoidance of problems. For those who have eye problems, I hope to explain so that a person is less mystified, and also help inform those whose duty it is to care for people with eye problems. If I can also provide a reference book that can be used to evaluate and understand current events in eye care, it should be easier for people to understand new developments when they are reported.  In presenting the facts as they are, I also discuss areas of controversy, not only in the management of eye problems, but among the caregivers themselves.  Hopefully, this will stimulate discussion,understanding, and the intent to improve on delivery of eye care. 

Ultimately, I hope to present an encouraging picture about the present status of excellence in eye care and excitement about future potential.  Much of what I have to say is based on what I have learned as an Ophthalmologist over 50 years.  Some of what I have to say is based on my personal opinions, and not necessarily shared by all eye doctors. In general, however, my ideas can be considered traditional and in line with main stream medicine.  This is not a text book, and if further information is desired,  more detailed information is available from your eye doctor, the library, or the internet.  Most of the information included here is based on how I would explain things to my patients, off the top of my head (spontaneous), and straight from the shoulder (factual).