Table Of Content

The Eye Book A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book T H E E Y E B O O K A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health Second Edition GARY H. CASSEL, MD 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: Eye— Diseases— Popular works. | Eye— Popular works. Classification: LCC RE51 .C34 2021 | DDC 617.7— dc23 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 [email protected]. Johns Hopkins University Press uses environmentally friendly book materials, in- cluding recycled text paper that is composed of at least 30 percent post- consumer waste, whenever possible. Contents List of Vision Myths and Common Eye Questions vii List of Figures xiii Preface xv PART I. INTRODUCTION 1. A Guide to Your Eyes 3 2. How Our Vision Changes over Time 18 3. Top Tips to Take Care of Your Eyes and Your Vision 41 PART II. GETTING TO 20/20 4. The Eye Exam 53 5. All about Eyeglasses 80 6. Contact Lenses: Everything You Need to Know 112 7. Refractive Surgery: Is This a Good Option for You? 159 PART III. THE BIG PROBLEMS FOR AGING EYES 8. Cataracts 175 9. Glaucoma, the “Silent Thief” 225 10. Age- Related Macular Degeneration 270 PART IV. OTHER EYE PROBLEMS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 11. The Eyelids 289 12. The Cornea 303 13. The Conjunctiva 314 14. The Complicated World of Tears 325 v vi CONTENTS 15. The Uvea: Iris, Ciliary Body, and Choroid 342 16. The Retina and Vitreous 346 17. The Optic Nerve 363 PART V. OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 18. Eye Trauma and Emergencies 371 19. General Health Problems That Can Affect the Eyes 381 20. Living Well with Low Vision 429 With Michelle Bianchi OTR/L, CLVT 21. Common Medications That Affect the Eyes 455 22. Cosmetics and the Eyes 466 Appendix A. Vision Myths 477 Appendix B. A Guide to Eye Medications and Related Drugs 480 Signs and Symptoms Index 489 General Index 494 Vision Myths and Common Eye Questions VISION MYTHS (APPENDIX A) Can reading in dim light hurt your eyes? 477 Can eye exercises improve vision? 477 Will wearing the right sunglasses prevent cataracts? 478 Does eating carrots help you see better? 479 Will sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end damage your eyes? 479 If you look cross- eyed long enough, will your eyes stay that way? 479 COMMON EYE QUESTIONS Changes in Vision (Chapter 2) It seems like my eyes keep getting worse. Will I just keep getting more nearsighted until I’m blind? 35 I never used to wear eyeglasses when I was younger. What’s wrong with me now? Why do I keep needing stronger eyeglasses every time I come in, and why can’t I see as well without my eyeglasses? 36 This is great— I used to need my eyeglasses for reading, but now I don’t. Did my eyes get better? 37 It’s official: I’m a senior citizen. Should I worry about my ability to drive? 37 Why do I see double, and is there any help for me? 38 What does 20/20 vision mean? 39 vii viii VISION MYTHS AND COMMON EYE QUESTIONS The Eye Exam (Chapter 4) I’m getting my eyes dilated today. Will I be able to drive myself home? 77 My husband’s doctor said that he’s legally blind. What does that mean? 78 Are headaches often due to eye problems? 79 Eyeglasses (Chapter 5) Does it matter where I get my new eyeglasses? 104 If I wear my eyeglasses all the time, will I become dependent on them? 105 What does my prescription mean? 106 How should I clean my new lenses? 107 What is a “no- line” bifocal? 108 I just bought new eyeglasses. Can I still get some use out of my old pair? 108 Can I recycle my old eyeglasses? 108 Can I do anything to alleviate computer- related eye problems? 109 My daughter sits too close to the television and my husband stares at his computer screen for hours. Will this damage their eyes? 109 What about those “dime- store” reading eyeglasses? Are they any good? 110 Can I get a prescription to help me see better than 20/20? 111 VISION MYTHS AND COMMON EYE QUESTIONS ix Contact Lenses (Chapter 6) Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism? 143 Am I too old to wear contact lenses? 144 How can I see to clean my contact lenses more easily, once they’re removed? 145 What happens if I leave my contact lenses out of their case and they dry out? 145 How long do contact lenses last? 145 What are those white bumps that I see on my soft contact lenses? 147 How do I care for my contact lenses if I don’t wear them every day? 147 If I wear bifocal eyeglasses, can I still wear contact lenses? 147 Why does my contact lens just stick to my finger whenever I try to put it in? Why won’t it stay on my eye? 151 How can I tell if my contact lens is inside out? 152 Can I wear my contact lenses if I have hay fever? Can I use allergy eye drops with my contact lenses? 153 How can I tell if my contact lens is worn out? 153 Why do I have a red streak on my cheek after I insert my contact lenses? 154 Why have my soft contact lenses discolored? 155 Can hairspray “gunk up” my contact lenses? 155 Can my contact lens get lost behind my eye? 155 What is orthokeratology? 156 Are colored contact lenses safe to use? 156