Table Of ContentThe 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
