Macular Degeneration: The Latest Scientific Discoveries and Treatments for Preserving Your Sight

Rating:
Summary: If you've recently been diagnosed with ARMD, read this book!
Review: A few years ago my wife had a blood vessel in her retina burst causing permanent partial vision loss in one eye. (She complained of "wavy vision" the day before she was to go to Europe on vacation - she cancelled the trip.) Since then we have had an Amsler grid on our refrigerator door, and she has learned to cope with the `missing spot' in her field of vision.... Two weeks ago she noticed - while watching the Bloomberg channel - that she could not read a good bit of what was on the screen. This time the doctor found another leakage into the retina (not involving red blood cells); her vision returned to what it was before in a few days. The doctor `put dye into her' to `check her eyes out.' - BUT this time the doctor told her that she has early dry ARMD. ----- I realized that we didn't understand very much of what we were being told ... so I bought this book and spent the last two days reading it cover to cover... This is really an EXCELLENT summary. I wish we had had it before my wife's latest problem, because I would have been able to ask more intelligent questions. We will on the next checkup! This deceptively small book holds more information than I thought could be packed into a 170-page volume in large type. Dr. Robert D'Amato's explanations are not only complete, but also clear. (I finished reading it before I noticed that the Macular Degeneration Foundation has endorsed it!). I have a bent for details and proofs, for the exact pro's and con's of different `treatments.' I learned that my wife's emotional reaction to her diagnosis (she was initially convinced that she `was going blind') was only partially justified. Dr. D'Amato shows that this outcome is highly improbable; most people show a gradual loss, if any at all, over a period of years. I learned, however, that it is essential to keep an eye on (unintended humor there) dry ARMD so that progression into wet ARMD can be detected, and then treated. He details both current and prospective treatments for wet ARMD. ---- "Macular Degeneration" contains a very helpful glossary, and the book is filled with specific sources - so one can pursue additional research on this affliction! ----- I was NOT particularly impressed by Joan Snyder's contribution to this volume, despite the fact that she is obviously sincere. `Alternative medicine' seems to be all the rage now, but I think it lacks the rigor of true science. Mrs. Snyder's very complete listing of alternative approaches seemed to me merely a catalog of `ways to kid yourself.' [I was waiting for her to suggest prayer, pilgrimages, or divine healing -- which she never did, thank goodness!] Dr. D'Amato's kind words about his co-author did not hide his skepticism about her sympathy for `alternative medicine'. He is a more patient man than I am! Since the `alternative medicine' section occupied a relatively small part of the volume (the preface and Chapter 8) I don't feel that Mrs. Synder's contribution significantly detracted from the book's worth -in fact, for those like me who are hard-headed empiricists, the descriptions of `alternative approaches' told me: don't waste time on this approach! ---- Hats off to the publisher: Note that the typeface is quite large which opens this valuable work to those who need it the most -- ARMD sufferers with significant vision loss! I strongly feel everyone recently diagnosed with ARMD should read this book.

Rating:
Summary: If you've recently been diagnosed with ARMD, read this book!
Review: A few years ago my wife had a blood vessel in her retina burst causing permanent partial vision loss in one eye. (She complained of "wavy vision" the day before she was to go to Europe on vacation - she cancelled the trip.) Since then we have had an Amsler grid on our refrigerator door, and she has learned to cope with the 'missing spot' in her field of vision.... Two weeks ago she noticed - while watching the Bloomberg channel - that she could not read a good bit of what was on the screen. This time the doctor found another leakage into the retina (not involving red blood cells); her vision returned to what it was before in a few days. The doctor 'put dye into her' to 'check her eyes out.' - BUT this time the doctor told her that she has early dry ARMD. ----- I realized that we didn't understand very much of what we were being told ... so I bought this book and spent the last two days reading it cover to cover... This is really an EXCELLENT summary. I wish we had had it before my wife's latest problem, because I would have been able to ask more intelligent questions. We will on the next checkup! This deceptively small book holds more information than I thought could be packed into a 170-page volume in large type. Dr. Robert D'Amato's explanations are not only complete, but also clear. (I finished reading it before I noticed that the Macular Degeneration Foundation has endorsed it!). I have a bent for details and proofs, for the exact pro's and con's of different 'treatments.' I learned that my wife's emotional reaction to her diagnosis (she was initially convinced that she 'was going blind') was only partially justified. Dr. D'Amato shows that this outcome is highly improbable; most people show a gradual loss, if any at all, over a period of years. I learned, however, that it is essential to keep an eye on (unintended humor there) dry ARMD so that progression into wet ARMD can be detected, and then treated. He details both current and prospective treatments for wet ARMD. ---- "Macular Degeneration" contains a very helpful glossary, and the book is filled with specific sources - so one can pursue additional research on this affliction! ----- I was NOT particularly impressed by Joan Snyder's contribution to this volume, despite the fact that she is obviously sincere. 'Alternative medicine' seems to be all the rage now, but I think it lacks the rigor of true science. Mrs. Snyder's very complete listing of alternative approaches seemed to me merely a catalog of 'ways to kid yourself.' [I was waiting for her to suggest prayer, pilgrimages, or divine healing -- which she never did, thank goodness!] Dr. D'Amato's kind words about his co-author did not hide his skepticism about her sympathy for 'alternative medicine'. He is a more patient man than I am! Since the 'alternative medicine' section occupied a relatively small part of the volume (the preface and Chapter 8) I don't feel that Mrs. Synder's contribution significantly detracted from the book's worth -in fact, for those like me who are hard-headed empiricists, the descriptions of 'alternative approaches' told me: don't waste time on this approach! ---- Hats off to the publisher: Note that the typeface is quite large which opens this valuable work to those who need it the most -- ARMD sufferers with significant vision loss! I strongly feel everyone recently diagnosed with ARMD should read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Patient Education
Review: I'm extremely impressed by this book. All patient education should strive to be this clear, readable, respectful, and comprehensive. It is written with understanding of and sympathy for the experience of coping with a potentially life-changing condition -- and by that I don't mean simply that the tone is warm and encouraging (although it is), but that the book is full of practical information that answers the kinds of questions that patients are likely to ask.

Rating:
Summary: Focuses on understanding of this sight-robbing condition
Review: The condition described here is age-related but has grown significantly in recent years as the population ages: Macular Degeneration provides an analysis of the disease, its progression and its symptoms. From the latest medical treatments to options for alternatives, Macular Degeneration focuses on understanding all aspects of the sight-robbing condition.

Rating:
Summary: Makes sense
Review: This book gives a broad overview of this extremely common and debilitating eye disease. The co-authors, a leading ophthalmologist and a patient with macular degeneration, present the information from both the technical point of view and the laymen's point of view. The book covers many aspects of macular degeneration, including its definition, types, diagnosis, treatments, and coping methods. The treatments section includes a comparison of alternative therapies as well as standard medical treatments. There are also chapters on possible causes of macular degeneration and potential ways to lower the risk of developing the disease. The book includes a glossary and a list of resources for further information or help. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with macular degeneration, this book will be invaluable.

Rating:
Summary: Makes sense
Review: This book gives a broad overview of this extremely common and debilitating eye disease. The co-authors, a leading ophthalmologist and a patient with macular degeneration, present the information from both the technical point of view and the laymen's point of view. The book covers many aspects of macular degeneration, including its definition, types, diagnosis, treatments, and coping methods. The treatments section includes a comparison of alternative therapies as well as standard medical treatments. There are also chapters on possible causes of macular degeneration and potential ways to lower the risk of developing the disease. The book includes a glossary and a list of resources for further information or help. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with macular degeneration, this book will be invaluable.