The Eye Care Revolution: Prevent and Reverse Common Vision Problems [Paperback]

Robert Abel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

Covering everything from high-tech laser treatments to centuries-old Asian remedies, Dr. Abel's authoritative, reliable information will help you and your doctor become full partners in saving your eyes and your overall good health. Dr. Abel also tells you what an eye exam can reveal about serious health problems you may not know you have. And he alerts you to the shocking damage that prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies inflict on your eyes. Readers will discover: Easy steps to end eyestrain; New developments in LASIK surgery; A Safe, herbal treatment for glaucoma; What you need to know about your children's eyes; How cholesterol-lowering drugs decrease energy, decrease memory, cause depression, and stimulate cataracts

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Rev Upd Su edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758206224
• ISBN-13: 978-0758206220
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HOW VITAMINS CAN SAVE YOU FROM GOING BLIND, April 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Eye Care Revolution: Prevent and Reverse Common Vision Problems (Paperback)

***************************************************************** BACKGROUND

I am a 32-year old chemistry Ph.D. student who this past fall was told that retinas in both eyes had detached.

I underwent surgery and got the "best possible" surgical result; however, this is not the same as what my vision had been before. At that point, I was told that since they didn't know why this (retinal detachment) happened that there was no guarantee that it wouldn't happen again.

I am extremely lucky that I stumbled upon Dr. Abel's book by accident in a local bookstore -- it has profoundly changed my life for the better. I am now at (...) to buy extra copies for friends and relatives.

ONE OF THE BEST HEALTH BOOKS EVER!

This is one of three of the most important health books I have run across in my life. (The other two are nutritionally-related -- "Entering the Zone" by Barry Sears,Ph.D., and "The Formula" by Gene & Joyce Daoust, and provide information on how to use diet to minimize illness and maximize longevity. These books well-complement this book and are of a similar holistic mindset.)

Dr. Abel, a U.S.-trained ophthalmologist (M.D.), has embraced the wisdom of non-Western medicine in his search to find ways to treat eye problems that Western medicine claims are "untreatable" and by so doing HAS FOUND SOLUTIONS TO MOST COMMON EYE PROBLEMS, WHICH HE HAS SHARED IN THIS BOOK.

Also typical of a non-Western approach, this book takes a holistic view -- showing that several other conditions can also accompany eye problems.

For example, before reading this book, I never recognized that arthritis and dry eyes commonly occur together (they are both collagen "diseases" which, in retrospect, makes a lot of sense) and that successfully treating one will also help lessen the severity of the other.

MOST EYE PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO INADEQUATE DIET & SO PREVENTABLE

The core message of this book is that most eye problems are the result of nutritional (specifically, vitamin/supplement) deficiencies.

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOOK

A general background on the eye if first given to provide a foundation to the layman, clearly explaining eye structure and basic function. (This background would probably be accessible to the average person who doesn't have a scientific background.)

Successive chapters build on this foundation as they each address one of the most common eye diseases, e.g. glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, etc. At the end of each chapter is given a summary of what vitamins you can take to prevent/halt the progression of that particular eye problem.

The vitamins/supplements recommended are mostly available in your local grocery store's vitamin aisle -- you don't have to make a special trip to someplace exotic. (Also, a lot are common enough that there are generic versions available, which makes this easier for people on a limited budget.)

HOW THIS BOOK WAS USEFUL TO ME (& HOW IT COULD BE USEFUL TO YOU TOO)

Although the final step leading to my retinas detaching was the mechanical tearing of the retina, this book made me realize that the precursor was the weakening of the collagen in both my blood vessels and in the eye structure itself and that these were to vitamin deficiencies. (This book calls retinopathy "scurvy of the retina".)

Some of the solutions recommended in the book for this, e.g. bilberry and vitamin C, are vitamins/supplements known to strengthen collagen and other tissues.

I have taken multivitamins everyday and so would not have initially guessed that I have had a vitamin deficiency. But, after comparing the amounts in the multivitamin to the amounts recommended, I see that I did have one. (Remember you use up a lot of vitamins when you are under stress! :-) )

THIS BOOK IS EMPOWERING!

After reading this book, I realize that I have the power to prevent my eye condition from worsening just by taking a few more vitamins and supplements a day. This is a very easy way to significantly improve the quality of your life.

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Abel for writing this book and giving me the ability to take back my life again.

ONE SMALL CRITICISM: WHY NOT A LARGE-PRINT EDITION?

My only possible complaint is that a book on eye problems needs to be available in a large-print edition so that the bulk of people who need this book might actually be able to read it themselves.

80 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives clear advice on how to avoid blindness, September 26, 1999

By 

Alan Tillotson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eye Care Revolution: Prevent and Reverse Common Vision Problems (Paperback)

Dr. Abels book brings a wealth of information on how to prevent and sometimes reverse common eye problems like cataract, macular degeneration, glaucoma and others. Losing vision can be one of the most frightening of experiences. Few people realize that 13 million people lose their eyesight from macular degeneration, and their ophthalmologists tell them nothing can be done except laser surgery.

I have known Dr. Abel personally for over 10 years, and I have seen with my own eyes a young girl of 18 facing blindness who now can now drive, and another woman with glaucoma resistent to eye drops have her eye pressures go down to safe ranges. I know for a fact that Dr. Abel has flown to India to perform free eye surgery in remote villages, helped found the first eye banks in several third world countries, and is not afraid to get down on the floor to show young children how much fun it is to put in eye drops. That is the man. Dr. Abel is an encyclopedia of useful medical wisdom, and his book is a true reflection of his knowledge-based desire to prevent blindness no matter what.

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have book for everyone concerned with good eyesight!, June 21, 1999

By 

fe3o2y "ironoxide" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eye Care Revolution: Prevent and Reverse Common Vision Problems (Paperback)

My Mother has macular degeneration. The doctor's told her there was nothing that could be done, she'd go blind eventually. Maybe those doctors need to read this book! In fact, everyone should read this book if they are concerned at all with their eyesight. The writing is concise and easy to understand. Dr. Abel explains diseases so anyone can understand and goes on to tell you what you can actually do about your health. He covers topics such as: Diabetes, Cataracts, Glaucoma, AMD and more. Get this book and read it BEFORE you see your doctor. Heck, get your doctor a copy too!