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An Ophthalmic Photographer's Experience With His Own ARMD
A
new book written by a retired University of Iowa ophthalmic photographer
and illustrator, now 90 years old, is helping scientists, ophthalmologists
and their patients better understand this debilitating disease. In
his newest book, "The Hole in My Vision: An Artist's View of
His Own Macular Degeneration," Lee Allen describes vividly his
12-year battle with macular degeneration. A host of illustrations
he drew vividly illustrates the disease process. Thomas M. Weingeist, MD, PhD, professor and head of the UI Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, says the book provides an unusual view of the disease through the author's own eyes. "Here, with a level of accuracy never before attempted, we can see the patient's view looking out at the world through his damaged eyes and compare it to the view his doctor saw while looking into his eyes." Allen, the first OPS President and protege of the noted Iowa artist Grant Wood, was uniquely qualified to draw the sketches -- for nearly 40 years he drew, photographed and studied eye diseases as an illustrator and researcher for the UI eye department. Rich in quotes and examples, the article tells readers about the only current viable treatment, laser surgery, and gives them hope that researchers are making significant progress in tracking down the cause of the disease and in finding a cure for it. Excellent color photographs are available as well.
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