The Macular Degeneration Source Book: A Guide for Patients and Families [Paperback]

Bert Glaser MD (Author), Lester A. Picker EdD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Make Better Treatment Choices by Being Informed… 

If you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration, you’re probably anxious and full of questions. You wonder how much your eyesight will deteriorate. How will the disease be treated? Will you still be able to do the things you’re accustomed to doing?
 
Author Bert Glaser, M.D., an eye surgeon who has treated thousands of patients, understands the kinds of questions you have about macular degeneration. He also knows that informed patients make better treatment choices, and optimal treatment may slow the progression of the disease. In The Macular Degeneration Source Book, Dr. Glaser and co-author Lester Picker offer answers to many commonly asked questions, including those on treatment. Among the other topics covered:
 
      •  Symptoms and causes of macular degeneration
      •  How the disease is diagnosed
      •  Emotional impact of macular degeneration
      •  Choosing the right physician
      •  Newest treatment options – drugs and surgical techniques
      •  Ways to slow progression of the disease
      •  Importance of nutrition and general health
      •  How to adapt the home and workplace to be “eye friendly”
 
A Valuable Resource for Patients and Families!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Glaser, an ophthalmologist, and science writer Picker offer an understandable and practical account of a condition becoming more prevalent among us as life spans increase. They first clarify the different types of macular degeneration (MD) and then discuss symptoms. Throughout, they stress the importance of immediately consulting a doctor if one notices any changes in vision. They note the Amsler Grid as a helpful guide to determining such changes, and they describe subsequent diagnostic methods. As for risk factors, they show how some can be reduced. They warn against the many exaggerated claims of purveyors of sunglasses and other heavily advertised but questionable aids, and they consider MD's emotional as well as physical effects. Their self-help advice covers picking the best eye-care team for treatment and making home and office "eye friendly." Clear, meaningful illustrations add greatly to the text, and other informational resources and a glossary are appended. William Beatty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Publisher

Bert Glaser is an internationally respected retinal surgeon, having pioneered some of today's most cutting-edge laser treatments for macular degeneration. (Dr. Glaser is a former professor of ophthalmology and director of viteoretinal research at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute and is currently chairman and director of the Glaser Murphy Retina Treatment Centers of Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Addicus Books; 1 edition (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886039534
• ISBN-13: 978-1886039537
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,566,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Technically informative and filled with useful advice, January 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Macular Degeneration Source Book: A Guide for Patients and Families (Paperback)

What a boon and comfort it would be to the patient if, upon receiving a diagnosis of macular degeneration, the doctor presented a copy of this book!

I thought I knew all the handy tricks until I read Chapter 9, "Making the Home Eye Friendly." After helping my mother deal with her legal blindness for ten years, I thought I knew all the practical hints for coping with macular degeneration. Now I'm in the early stages of the disease and welcome the many new ideas I found in The Macular Degeneration Source Book. Some of my favorites are to always carry a flashlight and to put glow-in-the-dark tape on stairtreads, doorknobs--and all those flashlights.

But the book offers more than handy tips. Retinal surgeon Bert Glaser follows a logical progression starting with an explanation of what happens to the eye affected by macular degeneration, with drawings that illuminate the text. Then he describes the various types of macular degeneration. The importance of testing and getting a diagnosis from qualified doctors is emphasized. Treatments for various types of MD are discussed in an understandable style. A list of risk factors is followed by life style changes that can help reduce risk. The book does not over-promise results while offering a positive, upbeat approach throughout.

Useful features in the back of the book include a list of resources-websites, organizations, catalogs, software, and vision products-a glossary of terms, and an index.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Patients and families will learn from this book., February 13, 2002

By 

Judith Delgado, Director, Macular Degeneratio... (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Macular Degeneration Source Book: A Guide for Patients and Families (Paperback)

This comprehensive book does a very nice job of explaining age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in terms that anyone can understand. Patients and their families will particularly appreciate learning the distinction between the different types of AMD and reading the thorough description of the eye examination.

Other important chapters cover a 10-step program to reduce your risks of macular degeneration, dealing with the emotional impact (an often overlooked aspect of vision loss) and ways to make your home and workplace more vision friendly. The Appendix and List of Resources are excellent.

The diagnosis of AMD can be devastating, but with information like The Macular Degeneration Source Book, patients and their families can deal with the challenge. Written by a leading macular degeneration specialist, it contains accurate medical information and lists current research.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Macular Degeneration Sourcebook: A Guide for Patients, December 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Macular Degeneration Source Book: A Guide for Patients and Families (Paperback)

Loosing sight due to Macular Degeneration is a very frightening experience. Dr. Glaser and Lester Picker were able to provide a level of comfort in dealing with the disease. The book is complete with valuable references and resources while doing a good job of thoroughly managing expectations.