If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, this book may be a great source of information and encouragement. Written by Daniel L. Roberts, someone who knows firsthand the feelings a diagnoses of AMD brings, the guide offers a complete, concise look at the causes and treatments of this prevalent condition.
First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed), explains that AMD is a progressive deterioration of the retina caused by a one-two punch of environmental and genetic factors. The light-sensitive cells of the central eye area, the macula, quit functioning and eventually die, creating the leading cause of blindness in people older than 50.
Roberts follows with practical advice on everything from herbal remedies and non-traditional alternatives to surgical intervention. Questions to ask your ophthalmologist and surgeon are also discussed.
Finally, he gives practical tips for dealing with everyday tasks, such as driving, which the disease affects. Throughout the book, the author remains upbeat and offers suggestions from his personal array of tools on how to cope with age-related macular degeneration.
An educator and musician, the author has devoted his career to supporting others with the condition since 1995, establishing networks and providing free presentations about visual impairment at public and private institutions across the country. Roberts was given the 2004 Distinguished Service Award from the American Optometric Association Low Vision Rehabilitation Section. In 2006, the Grandview, MS resident was honored for his creative approach to vision-related health education by the National Eye Institute.
A thoughtful resource, The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration is an indispensible first source for anyone seeking to actively participate in decisions that impact the management of their condition.
The First year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Daniel L. Roberts, DeCapo Press, 2006. 330p. ISBN9781569242865
