Gary H. Cassel - The Eye Book: A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health

The Eye Book

A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book

A Complete Guide

to Eye Disorders and Health

Second Edition

GARY H. CASSEL, MD

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PRESS
Baltimore

Note to the Reader: This book is not meant to substitute for professional eye care, and decisions about treatment should not be based solely on its contents. Instead, treatment must be developed in a dialogue between the individual and his or her eye care professional. This book has been written to help with that dialogue.

1998, 2000, 2021 Johns Hopkins University Press

All rights reserved. Published 2021

Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Johns Hopkins University Press

2715 North Charles Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363

www.press.jhu.edu

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Cassel, Gary H., 1953 author.

Title: The eye book : a complete guide to eye disorders and health / Gary H. Cassel, MD.

Description: Second edition. | Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2021. | Series: A Johns Hopkins Press health book | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020013530 | ISBN 9781421439976 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781421439983 (paperback) | ISBN 9781421439990 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: EyeDiseasesPopular works. | EyePopular works.

Classification: LCC RE51 .C34 2021 | DDC 617.7dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020013530

A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.

Illustrations by Jacqueline Schaffer

Special discounts are available for bulk purchases of this book. For more information, please contact Special Sales at .

Johns Hopkins University Press uses environmentally friendly book materials, including recycled text paper that is composed of at least 30 percent post-consumer waste, whenever possible.

VISION MYTHS (APPENDIX A)

Can reading in dim light hurt your eyes?

Can eye exercises improve vision?

Will wearing the right sunglasses prevent cataracts?

Does eating carrots help you see better?

Will sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end damage your eyes?

If you look cross-eyed long enough, will your eyes stay that way?

COMMON EYE QUESTIONS

Changes in Vision (Chapter 2)

It seems like my eyes keep getting worse. Will I just keep getting more nearsighted until Im blind?

I never used to wear eyeglasses when I was younger. Whats wrong with me now? Why do I keep needing stronger eyeglasses every time I come in, and why cant I see as well without my eyeglasses?

This is greatI used to need my eyeglasses for reading, but now I dont. Did my eyes get better?

Its official: Im a senior citizen. Should I worry about my ability to drive?

Why do I see double, and is there any help for me?

What does 20/20 vision mean?

The Eye Exam (Chapter 4)

Im getting my eyes dilated today. Will I be able to drive myself home?

My husbands doctor said that hes legally blind. What does that mean?

Are headaches often due to eye problems?

Eyeglasses (Chapter 5)

Does it matter where I get my new eyeglasses?

If I wear my eyeglasses all the time, will I become dependent on them?

What does my prescription mean?

How should I clean my new lenses?

What is a no-line bifocal?

I just bought new eyeglasses. Can I still get some use out of my old pair?

Can I recycle my old eyeglasses?

Can I do anything to alleviate computer-related eye problems?

My daughter sits too close to the television and my husband stares at his computer screen for hours. Will this damage their eyes?

What about those dime-store reading eyeglasses? Are they any good?

Can I get a prescription to help me see better than 20/20?

Contact Lenses (Chapter 6)

Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?

Am I too old to wear contact lenses?

How can I see to clean my contact lenses more easily, once theyre removed?

What happens if I leave my contact lenses out of their case and they dry out?

How long do contact lenses last?

What are those white bumps that I see on my soft contact lenses?

How do I care for my contact lenses if I dont wear them every day?

If I wear bifocal eyeglasses, can I still wear contact lenses?

Why does my contact lens just stick to my finger whenever I try to put it in? Why wont it stay on my eye?

How can I tell if my contact lens is inside out?

Can I wear my contact lenses if I have hay fever? Can I use allergy eye drops with my contact lenses?

How can I tell if my contact lens is worn out?

Why do I have a red streak on my cheek after I insert my contact lenses?

Why have my soft contact lenses discolored?

Can hairspray gunk up my contact lenses?

Can my contact lens get lost behind my eye?

What is orthokeratology?

Are colored contact lenses safe to use?

I have a scar on my cornea from a childhood accident. Due to this scar, my cornea is distorted and irregular. Eyeglasses dont help me see clearly. Is there a special contact lens option that might give me better vision?

Refractive Surgery (Chapter 7)

Is refractive surgery a good option for me?

How is LASIK performed?

Cataract Surgery (Chapter 8)

When should I have my cataract surgery?

Do you do laser cataract surgery?

Do cataracts need to be ripe before they can be removed?

What is phacoemulsification cataract surgery?

How can I find a good cataract surgeon?

Im in a managed care program. Will my program cover cataract surgery?

If I have cataract surgery on one eye, how long do I have to wait to have the second eye done? Cant I have both eyes fixed at once?

Can cataracts grow back after cataract surgery?

Glaucoma (Chapter 9)

Are all generic glaucoma eye drops equal to the brand-name versions?

Can glaucoma be caused by reading too much, wearing contact lenses, or even a poor diet?

Will I go blind from glaucoma?

Does glaucoma run in families?

I have hypertension. Does this mean that my eye pressure is high as well?

Can my eye pressure change from one day to the next?

If I forget to take my drops, will this really cause me to have more problems from glaucoma?

I have a cataract and glaucoma. Can I have surgery for both at the same time?

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Chapter 10)

Whos at risk for developing age-related macular degeneration?

Can nutrition make a difference?

Why is early detection important for macular degeneration?

Dry Eyes (Chapter 14)

Sometimes my vision gets blurry, but I can clear it with a few blinks. Whats the problem?

Why do my eyes burn when I work at my computer?

Why dont my eyes feel dry all the time?

Sometimes I wake up at night with a pain in my eye. What could be causing this?

Diabetic Eye Disease (Chapter 19)

What are my chances of having eye problems from my diabetes?