AN EYE DOCTOR ANSWERS

An optometrist answers patients’ frequently asked questions regarding eye diseases and conditions.

Driscoll notes in his foreword that he typically ends his eye exams by asking patients, “Do you have any more questions?” Many people forget what they meant to ask when they made an appointment or simply can’t think of anything. This book attempts to address the most common questions patients do ask, or should ask, when visiting an eye doctor. Organized into sections that cover the parts of the eye, from eyelids to retina, it deals with a host of eye ailments ranging from routine nearsightedness to the more serious diabetic retinopathy. Most answers are brief, with extended sections on LASIK and other surgical procedures, giving basic information for the average patient. Occasionally, the book introduces medical terms that most people might not readily understand. The book usually explains such terms later—in some instances, many pages later. The word “amblyopia” appears on page 22 in an answer to “What is Farsightedness?” but the book doesn’t define it until page 166. Consistent cross-referencing within the text would have helped readers. Some of the pictures don’t work well in this black-and-white format, especially when the text says: “Notice the red area in the center.” Readers can see the color images by downloading the e-book, but not all may be interested in that step. Driscoll’s wife, Diana, contributes an addendum on complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that has helpful information, though the book does not include the question, “What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?” Despite these minor shortcomings, this logically organized and helpfully indexed reference book makes a useful resource for people who have questions about their eyes.

A valuable, authoritative consumer health guide.