Customer Reviews

Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome: Practical Ways to Improve Your Comfort, Vision, and Appearance (Yale University Press Health & Wellness)

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From: www.BasilAndSpice.com
Author & Book Views On A Healthy Life!

Book Review: Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome: Practical Ways to Improve Your Comfort, Vision, and Appearance (Yale University Press, 2007) by Steven L. Maskin, M.D.

Do you have dry eyes? Apparently almost 5 million of us do in the United States. Moderate cases are estimated at 20-30 million people. Common in the over age 50 group--7.8% of women and 4.7% of men are impacted by it. If left untreated, keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye syndrome, can lead to more eye problems, including blindness. Either the tear (lacrimal) glands under the eyelids aren't producing enough tears or the tears themselves are evaporating too quickly because of their composition.

Dr. Steven Maskin, author of Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome, says that dry eye syndrome is painful. Symptoms sometimes begin mildly and progress:

Achy or sore eyes

Redness, inflammation

Scratchy, grainy, gravelly feelings

Feeling of something in the eye

Burning, Stinging

Itching frquently

Contact lens discomfort

Nighttime dryness

Difficulty opening eyes in the morning

Blurred/ Fluctuating sight

Heavy eyes

Watery eyes

Excessive mucus discharge

Sensitivity to light

What are the causes? Researchers aren't quite sure, but some factors play significant roles:

LASIK Surgery

Live in a dry or windy area

Use the computer often

Use the eyes often for work or recreation

Drive long distances often

Smoke or live with someone who does

Use medications for allergies, birth control, or depression

Take hormone replacement therapy

Have had cosmetic eye surgery

Have worn contact lenses for many years

Suffer from specific illnesses: Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, ocular rosacea.

I've had a little dry eye syndrome periodically due to contact lenses, reading, and computer use, but hadn't really thought that much about it, until my friend had LASIK eye surgery. He is an emergency room physician who loves to scuba dive on his time off. The need to see underwater through a mask, without contact lense worry led to LASIK surgery and a severe case of dry eyes. Using lubricating drops often, the standard treatment in the United States and Europe, his condition slowly improved. Further detection and treatment for severe cases involves drugs, surgery, in-office procedures, and moisture goggles.

What can be done at home? Recent studies indicate that increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids will improve the situation, possibly by 68% for women. Opt for salmon, tuna, sardines and other cold water fatty fish. Drink more water and reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine, a diuretic, encourages the body to eliminate water, whereas water hydrates the body. Avoid rubbing the eyes, instead blot them with clean tissue. Last, check in with the allergist, to identify an unknown eye-drying problem.

5 Stars

I only wish some of the opthomologists I have visited over the past year had read Dr. Maskin's book! But now that I've discovered it, I feel I understand more than they do. Dr. Maskin clearly and in layman's terms explains all the causes of dry eye and how to actually treat and reverse it. Using his advice, I am managing my condition and in a lot less discomfort now. If you are visiting a series of doctors who don't seem to have a diagnosis for you, or act like it's just old age - save the money on visits and buy the book instead!

This book provides invaluble information on the topic of dry eyes not found elsewhere for the layperson. It explains in easy to read and understandable text both the physical and emotional impact that this condition can cause. I developed dry eyes three years ago as a result of an eye surgery. I have had to have several eye surgeries to correct the bad results and have seen many Drs. trying to find help for my dry eyes. When I started reading Dr. Maskin's book, I realized after just a few pages that I had finally found someone that understood this condition and the pain, frustation and impact it can have on one's life. Dr. Maskin explains thoroughly the many causes, what to look for, treatments and ways to manage and reverse dry eyes.
Luckily I live in the same state as Dr Maskin and made and appt. as I read the book. He diagnosed a condition that other Dr. I have seen had never even mentioned. My condition required a breakthrough surgery that is only preformed by a few eye surgeons, a procedure Dr. Maskin specializes in. I have had excellent results am gradually getting back to a normal lifestyle.
This book was a "God Send" for me. This book should be recommened by physicians as a resource for thier patients with dry eye symptoms ....
Accolades to Dr. Maskin for his interest and dedication to this condition and writing this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I applaud the author for writing an intelligent, succinct, readable, upbeat overview of this irksome health issue. Patients who are newly diagnosed or who have not extensively researched the cause of their dry eye problems should definitely purchase this book. That being said, for someone like myself, who has already consulted ophthalmologists, am aware of my diagnosis, and have read numerous web articles on the topic, virtually all of the information was already familiar to me. However, I still unearthed one important nugget of information (that punctal occlusion using a cauterization process is reversible, and may be preferable to punctal plugs) which may be important for my future treatment. That alone was worth the price of the book, since my ophthalmologist had never mentioned this option. The book also contains a handy summary of the confusing variety of OTC eye drops and some good reminders about simple lifestyle changes that can be of great benefit. While any person with dry eye should initially consult an ophthalmologist to obtain a proper diagnosis, I just love books like this because doctors these days have so little time to sit you down and explain all of the strategies and treatment options that can be of benefit. Having this book several years ago would have been very helpful to me; it is a perfect example of why a small investment can sometimes be more worthwhile than a whole string of doctors' appointments.

Finding "Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome" was a Godsend for my eye dilemma. After over a year of treatment with several ophthalmologists, and after trying (time and again to no avail) their recommendations for eye drops, punctual plugs, Restasis and the like, this book was like an oasis in the desert. I even got to the point where I thought I must be imagining my pain and discomfort. After reading this book and realizing there were others like me - as well as the potential for significant improvement of my symptoms - I called Dr. Maskin's office and made the appointment for a consultation. I have just completed two surgical procedures since November and FINALLY, I feel like I have "my old self" back again!! Dr. Maskin is my hero. Thank you for making this a most special Christmas for me!

I'm at the computer all day, sometimes every day. A few months ago, my eyes started hurting, and on occasion would tear excessively.

I did some Internet digging and discovered Maskin's dry eye book. It opened my eyes, so to speak.

The first thing the book confirmed was that I had dry eyes. I also learned about the other syndromes and disorders I could be experiencing; I also discovered which of the over-the-counter drugs I should use --and which to avoid.

The book provided me with a wealth of simple tips I could use immediately to help reduce my dry eye problem. For instance, I lowered the height of my monitor and started taking breaks every 30 minutes. Obvious things, sure, but only after reading about them in the book.

Besides helping me understand more about dry eyes, the book also made me realize I needed to seek out a consultation with an ophthalmologist. (That alone was worth the price of the book).

The writing style is comfortable and easy-to-read, and it's remarkably thorough. I definitely have a better handle on the problem and realize it can be treated.

If you're having any type of eye discomfort -- as you probably do as you're on this page -- I strongly urge you to pick up a copy of Maskin's book.

Read this book now if you have any symptoms of dry eye syndrome, itchiness, pain, irritation, redness, etc.. Dr. Maskin is a medical doctor with extensive training and experience treating dry eyes or, as he explains, "dysfunctional tear syndrome". Maskin explains eye anatomy, tear formation, causes of problems and describes treatments based on severity of symptoms. This complete discussion is very helpful to fill in information gaps that might be left after a hurried visit to your family or eye doctor.

Not just valuable for dealing with dry eye, he also discusses eye dryness problems for contact lens wearers and people who have photorefractive keratectomy procedures such as LASIK and LASEK procedures. Dr. Maskin includes a glossary with eye problem related terms and references in this readable book written clearly for patients.

I've suffered just too many incompetents masquerading as doctors and "eye specialists" in Melbourne over the past year.

Forced to fall back on my own resources, I've spent hundreds of hours reading up everything I could get hold of on the subject of dry eyes, ranging from academic literature to patients' comments on the internet.

But I now wish someone had told me about the existence of Maskin's book earlier. This book is worth 10 times its weight in gold.

For a mere $13 (or $14) delivered to my home by Abe Books, this book is clearly the best investment of $13 I've made in my life.

I've squandering hundreds of dollars on incompetent doctors and ALL kinds of "medicines" and eye drops, nutritional supplements etc. (an expenditure of well over $1000 by now). Had I got this book earlier, it could have saved me not just money but a LOT OF PAIN.

The first thing this book did is to show me how to distinguish between an allergy and dry eyes.

My problem started with a huge amount of oral antihistamines that I dumped into my body last year to survive the worst hay fever of my life - that went on and on for two months. But no doctor inquired about this, and indeed I discovered that I have dry eyes by extensive internet searches. I had to get myself referred to an eye specialist since my GP didn't even know what I was undergoing.

But the eye specialists were utterly incompetent. They did not conduct any detailed diagnosis, and prescribed medicines without any diagnostic analysis. Naturally, these medicines didn't work.

It took me a long time to piece the jigsaw puzzle together. Finally one doctor prescribed Patanol a few weeks ago. Patanol seems to be helping. At least I'm no longer in excruciating pain.

But all this delay in treatment could have been avoided had I done the simple test that Maskin prescribes in his book - dip your eyes in water, and if they feel better (even temporarily) you likely have allergy. That's because water washes away allergens and provides temporary relief. And so on...

The book is a gem. Won't go into details, but let me simply cite a few key extracts from his book. His humility and understanding towards his patients is exemplary. I'd love to have a doctor like him.

Maskin has done the entire world a great favour by writing this excellent book. Much of what Maskin writes is not a surprise (given I've read so much over the past year), but important pieces of the puzzle fell together while reading his book. His structured method of presenting information is very useful.

I thoroughly recommend this book in EVERY eye strain/ dry eye/ eye allergy suffer's personal library.

Five stars won't do justice to this book.

EXTRACTS

A) From the Preface:

Despite the clamor today about dry eye, it came to my notice that although several excellent books for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other eye care professionals were available, no book for the average lay person--the dry eye sufferer!--was on the market. And although a number of websites were accessible on the Internet, I felt it was difficult for a general reader to find the most helpful information.

In my practice I have found that a patient's knowledge about his or her disease or disorder is one of my most useful aids in making a proper diagnosis and prescribing appropriate treatment. The more a patient knows about the physiology of the eye, the causes of the dry eye problem (and any other health problems he or she may have), and the various opportunities for treatment, the more effectively that patient and I can team up to find the best solutions for the problems. This is especially true for dry eye syndrome, which can have many causes and may require a variety of treatments.

With this book, I hope to share my experience treating dry eye in all its types and severity. Although this is not a "medical textbook," it contains a number of scientific descriptions and theories, all of which I have tried to present in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner useful to the general reader. Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome is not encyclopedic (and dry eye can be an endlessly complex problem), but I have tried to at least touch on virtually every facet of this disorder, from definition, to causes, to diagnosis and treatment--both medical and home remedies. Remember, though, that this book is not meant to replace your personal eye doctor, but rather to equip you, or anyone suffering with dry eye, with as much up-to-date information as possible so that you too can better work with your ophthalmologist to find complete relief.

B) From chapter 9:
Finding a new doctor is as much a subjective task as it is an objective one. Objectively, you will want to know your doc¬tor's educational background, amount and type of postgraduate training, level of experience (that is, how many years he has been practicing), and specifically if he has had experience treating dry eye. However, you must also trust your more subjective instincts when deciding if a doctor of any kind is right for you. This caveat applies as much to eye doctors as it does to gynecologists or cancer surgeons. When dealing with a syndrome as elu¬sive as dry eye, the need for a doctor whom you are comfortable with and trust is even more important.

Whether you have been seeing the same eye doctor for decades or are in the process of finding a new one, consider these questions carefully:

Does my doctor spend enough time with me? Or does he rush me in and out of his office and routinely keep me waiting for long periods?

Does he make me feel comfortable? Does he show respect for me? Or do I sense that he is annoyed or impatient with me or my questions?

Does he really listen to my comments and questions? Does he ask me questions in return? (Questions from the doctor indicate not only that he is listening, but that he is considering all possible ramifications of the problems.)

Does my doctor give answers that I understand? If I don't understand something, does he give clear, compassionate explanations?

Do I trust that he is doing everything he can to deal with my dry eye problems?

"Reversing Dry Eye Syndrome," by Steven Maskin, M. D., is a necessity for those diagnosed with dry eye syndrome - and having little knowledge of what to do and where to go following. Covering present treatments from therapeutic drops to surgical procedures, Dr. Maskin informs readers of the choices available. If you are less than well-informed regarding the anatomy and physiology of the eye, enjoy excellent coverage of that subject matter here. The many causes of and contributors to this disease are carefully explained in easily understandable language, greatly aiding proper decision making for dry eye sufferers.

It may not occur to many that sleeping with a fan blowing on oneself can damage eye health and vision; I learned that, and much more, from this book. Is diet a contributor to dry eyes? Climate? Allergies? Must aging destroy eye health and appearance? Which drops are good for dry eyes and which are not? Do you need other treatment(s)? Exactly what recourses are available for this disease? The answers are here. This book is a must for persons with dry eye syndrome!

This is a helpful book to understand dry eye syndrome's causes and management. This very common, painful condition can cause one to feel very alone, but its sufferers are not. Through education and action, discomfort can be reduced or eliminated.