Contact-Lenses Books

This text does an incredible job of detailing and teaching how to perform orthokeratology. By the end of the book I felt very comfortable with the technique. The case histories were especially useful. I was able to successfully implement orthokeratology into my practice after reading this fine book.

I bought this book exclusively to research some social and historical characteristics of County Roscommon Ireland in the early 19th Century. My ancestors lived there around the time period on which the book is focused. This gave me a lot of helpful information in understanding why my ancestors may have left Ireland in those days to come to America. But I am not a scholar. So I wasn't afraid to keep a dictionary nearby as I read this well-written soft cover book.

The book provides an exceptional overview of the state of life in Roscommon in the period just prior to, and during, the famine years.It is, as usual with Maynooth Studies, well researched and chock full of statistics. Particularly interesting to me was the evolution and data relative to "Whiteboy" and Molly McGuire activity in Roscommon and environs.

Where has this book been for all of my life?

I will spare you my lengthy saga, which began in grade school. The long story short is that I was a classic bookworm. When you use your eyes predominantly at close range, they gradually adapt and change shape. I didn't have bad eyes, rather I had bad habits, and I was not consistently using my eyes at all ranges. Worse yet, I did not have to use my eyes as intended when I was wearing glasses or contacts, therefore my problem compounded.

The cause of astigmatism and the means to correct it is found in this book. Why don't doctors tell us this stuff??? It apparently is too easy and profitable to keep writing stronger and more enabling prescriptions.

In a haphazard way I am incorporating the lessons learned in this book. At a minimum I seem to be arresting the negative direction in which I was headed, and better yet, I do believe that things are sharpening up a bit. If I start applying these exercises in a more methodical and consistent manner, then look out.

For example, my astigmatism was in my left eye, therefore my right eye got used to doing all my close work. Not surprisingly, my right eye adapted to that and was becoming increasingly lazy. I bought an eye patch at the drug store and I am wearing it at home more and more. Now my right eye HAS to work at all distances and cannot AFFORD to be lazy. Who said that eye patches are only for kids?

When you allow your eyes to be lazy - whether through poor habits or reliance on "corrective" lenses - nutrients no longer circulate properly and your eyes become susceptible to disease. That alone is a powerful incentive to make the effort to use your eyes as intended.

I could go on and on, but in a nutshell I feel empowered. For no more effort than I have put into this so far, I am encouraged and I expect to build a lifetime of healthier habits.

Thank God for Steven Beresford and his willingness to blow the whistle on an industry that has failed to educate us and that has mostly allowed us to proceed with unhealthy and potentially blinding practices.

After buying this book I was very excited to try the exercises, but realized it would be necessary for my optometrist to work with me to provide me with lower power contact lenses. I was doubtful that she would agree, but when I showed her the book she surprised me by enthusiastically agreeing. She told me that the idea of vision therapy is well-known among professionals, but not often used for a variety of reasons, many explained in this book. She herself uses it with children but told me she doesn't usually suggest it for adults because they won't do the work! So I followed the exercises and in 3 months went from 20/30 vision with -6.00 lenses to 20/20 with -5.00! I am continuing to do the exercises and can't wait for my next exam.

The exercises and techniques are all simple to do, thoroughly described, do not require a lot of expensive equipment, and many can be done throughout the day in the course of normal activity. I am an illustrator and spend all day in front of the computer. A few simple exercises performed intermittently eliminated my eye strain and dry eyes in a matter of days. Specific sequences of exercises are provided for all types of vision problems. This is a small book, very much to the point. After describing the nature and causes of various vision problems it goes right into describing exercises you can do right away.

The vision therapy this book describes is the best-kept secret in the optometry industry. As a result, many people think it's probably too good to be true. It may not work for everyone, but there's no doubt it works, and this book is an excellent and concise guide to the process.

I've been doing eye exercises, including the ones in this book, for about 10 years, and never worn glasses in all that time. The results? My eyesight is better, as determined by optometrists, when I keep up the exercises, considerably better too, but never seems to get beyond a certain limit. I guess the analogy is the guy with a missing leg who does physiotherapy. The physiotherapy helps mobility, but it isn't going to bring back the missing leg. That's basically what I was told when I finally went to see one of the authors of this book for a consultation. His final advice? Laser surgery. Apparently that's a really good option nowadays. So I'll look into it. Good luck folks.

The author contends that by performing his exercises most people can drastically improve their eyesight, even to restore 20-20 vision. Of course, there is the caveat that "your mileage may vary."
I was intrigued by all the positive reviews so for the price (I think I paid $3) why not try? I think I know why some people are impressed by this book.
This is not something you can test with double-blind experiemnts (how can you hide from a subject that she is actually performing the exercises), but I suspect the reason people experience improvement is simply that they stop wearing their glasses. If you remove your glasses, your vision will be blurred for an extended period of time, since your eyes have not had to work their muscles much. But over time these muscles will 'get back in shape' and focus better. So simply by going without your glasses for a month (even without his exercises), you will see improvement.

I am 50 and I had a very mild prescription (probably because I have avoided wearing glasses most of my life). I noticed that when I started relying on my glasses my need for them skyrocketed. After going without them for a month, I found my vision improved considerably.

Bottom line: Simply taking off your glasses and leaving them off altogether (or as much as you safely can) will probably accomplish exactly the same as these exercises.

However, having said that, this book will explain how the eyes work and how you should be mindful of not straining them by, for example, staring at a computer screen for 8 hours at a time. Taking regular breaks, weening yourself from your glasses, relaxing your eyes from time to time probably will help preserve them.

I am not an eye specialist, so my opinion is only that of a common user. I bought this book to maintain my vision and correct a slight myopia in one eye. Here is what I think:

GOOD
Well written. Doesn't beat around the bush. Motivating. Concentrates on practical application rather than long descriptive passages of theory.

NOT SO GOOD
I have certain reservations about some of the techniques in this book. Take hydrotherapy, for example. The authors advise to subject one's eyes to a rapid succession of hot and cold temperatures. I just don't know how safe this procedure is. I have done it once, and my eyes surely felt quite stressed after it. I understand the reason behind this technique - to get the "stuff" in the eyes going, to improve fexibility of blood vessels, etc. However, can such a rapid change of temperatures also lead to detachment of material in the eyes, causing so called "floaters" to appear? I am not saying that this will definitely happen, but I am only sharing my reservations. Who knows how your eyes will react to such a significant regular stress?
Then the acupressure points. They may be good if a person knows what he/she is doing. However, to poke fingers around your eyes and press firmly here and there based on a rather poor description and pictures - in my humble opinion - may not be so safe. I decided against it, since I don't want to take ANY chances with my eyes.
Lastly, at least for me, the fusion chart does not work. I tried several times, but the faces don't merge as advised. I'll keep trying.

All in all, this book provides good motivation and some of its material I will certainly use. However, an inexperienced person (myself included) should think carefully before doing "physical things" to his/her eyes, like pressing around them and heating/cooling them rapidly.

it is not a standard text, not meant to be. but it is a very practical review with practical information and applications not found in many standard texts. the information is also pretty current and accurate, albeit paltry. definitely a good read the month before the exam, and the best review material for those finished with the exams. a nice fresh approach to a tedious task all in all. good one!

Throw away the Academy of Ophthalmology's optics book. This concise text is all you need. If you read it carefully, do the problems and really learn what it teaches, you will score very well on the OKAPs and board exams.

As a reference book, this little handbook falls short.

As alearning tool it is also lacking, with little detail or helpfuldiagrams.

However, as a study tool, this review should serve the student well if he/she had a real reference from which to learn. That is, in fact, what it markets itself to be -- a last minute study review -- so no false advertising here.

Kirk Carver, Patient Advocate,...

I went to a lecture by Dr. Barr (one of the authors), and he discussed this book. I find it to be very general, and to be a good review of keratoconus information. There's not much about actually fitting keratoconus patients, as far as choosing base curves, lens types, etc.

Decent, but not as specific as I would like.

Good to see a book covering this topic even though I've yet to read it

Dr. Silbert has compiled chapters from contibuting authors, who like himself are all experts in the field of contact lenses and anterior ocular segment disease. Each chapter begins with a case study in SOAP format and then proceeds to analyze point by point each aspect of the case under discussion. The learning process is incredibly enhanced by pages of color and black and white photos which bring alive the topics in the text.

This volume is clearly a valuable investment for every serious contact lens clinician, medical library, and teaching clinic.

You know a book's worth when you read the last few pages very slowly hoping it will never end and just go on and on. Dr. Robert Morrison's book inspired me, like I try to do with my students, to always strive to be the "best you can". Even if you fall short sometimes, it's the striving that counts. Dr. Bob is truly an inspiration to millions of people with poor vision and especially contact lens wearers. The bottom line is, HE CARES. About the poor people in undeveloped nations, the royalty around the globe and the common person who has a vision problem and needs help from a master. I will never forget this book, and more importantly the man, Dr. Bob, who strived and succeeded in " making a difference " in life. I pray everyday that my high school students become the Jane Goodalls and Bob Morrisons of the future and straighten out some wrinkles in a troubled earth. Read this book.

I have read many books on natural vision improvement and Mr. De Angelis' seems to be one of the most honest books to date. He supports his claims with scientific research. He talks about his own journey toward 20/20 vision and he is easily accessible. His focus is just on a few exercises that will help stretch the muscles and restore flexibility to the eyes, thus restoring them to their natural state. He also advocates the use of the plus lense to assist accomodation. This book is not a Bates book. Although I have been using Bates' techniques for some time, I wanted to try something different. As when you exercise your body, your muscles get used to the same exercises over and over again. I want to give my eyes something different as well. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is because I have just started using Mr. De Angelis' techniques. When I am cured I will write another review! :)

I've read this book and I recommend it to anyone willing to improve his/her nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism. Some months ago, when I started doing the exercises described in this book my prescription was -2.25/-2.5. Well, after constantly practicing my vision has improved and now my nearsightedness is -0.75/-1.0...amazing! The same exercises and principles can also be applied for prevention purposes and the author can be contacted for further questions. Highly recommended!

PS: I don't agree with the other reviewer claiming that "it is just another re-working of the Bates method". It's just not true, but if you feel like, you can integrate both methods!

A no nonsense book about restoring one's vision. Mr. De Angelis has put together his own experience, with all the elements necessary for others to accomplish the same. He does not hide the fact that only those committed, with discipline and perseverance will succeed. The book's bibliography has many good references for those interested in exploring the subject in depth. I commend Mr. De Angelis for making the effort in documenting his experience, and making it available in English, in addition to his native Italian

What a mess.The publishers have made no attempt to sort out a very bad translation of an Italian original.Add to that the author's mind numbingly leaden,repetitious,jargon filled style,and you have a very hard read.There may be the germ of an idea in there somewhere,but getting to it is painful.

It's true, that the book is a pretty hard read, and that it shows that Davids native language isn't English just as it isn't for myself. Actually I needed to go through it 2-3 times, underlining the essentials before I was able to put everything together - how to practice and USE the exercises and what the exercises included. But still the book is different then the others..and I have read pretty many.


Davids book writes about the importance of strengthening and stretching the muscles and especially the symmetry between the two eyes.

I'm just about starting using the exercises...because when i START, I want to be VERY dedicated. But the "eye test" showed, that I indeed have "week spots". You can do the test yourself if you like:

Look and fixate on a small object 2-5 meters away. Now turn your head while keeping the gaze fixated all the way round the visual field, where you are still able to maintain binocular vision (you will be able to see the rim of the eye sockets and side of your nose and eyebrows while you turn your head all way round in kind of a circle). That's very important, for in my case I have a hard time maintaining binocular vision in my upper right part of the visual field, where the vision "breaks up" and gets double. So that's my "part", where I have work to do....:o)

And that's one of Davids main points. The muscles and muscular innervation's have sort of atrophied or weakened because of many years of misuse due to near point stress (especially when using glasses for near work). So the muscles need to be stretched and strengthened and learn to work together perfectly as agonist and antagonist again.



Beside that the book IS indeed a hard read, and you don't need all the information given, and you probably will have some hard time sorting out what is really important and what isn't...it is obvious and inspiring, that David is very enthusiastic about his approach and his personal success, he wants to share with everyone, who is open and receptive. That also shows in his email replies.... he is very friendly and motivates you to go for it....and get back, if you have any additional question. Way to go, David :o)


So, give this book a try....I love the principles in it....and you can still combine it with other relaxation and visualization techniques of course.

I'm excitedly looking forward witnessing my own eyes getting back to splendid health and agility.

With LOVE
Kim from Denmark

I am very puzzled by the previous review. I bought the book exactly for the same reasons and it explained everything carefully. More important, it described options that I did not realize existed. I originally had the 3rd edtion and was so impressed with it, that I bought the 4th. However, the difference between the two is very little, so buy the cheaper for the two. I have not seen the the 1st and the 2nd edition so I cannot comment on them.

I was looking for a book that explains the technical differences in various types of lenses. Multifocal, bifocal, aspherical, high index, polycarb, plastic, glass, abbe numbers etc. How does one choose and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each type and manufacturers design. I was also interested in the differences in contacts. Torics, bifocals, etc etc. The book is technically lame. It was no help whatsoever. Ask your optometrist was the redcomendation. I learned nothing from this book! Nothing!