When you have a chronic illness, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), it is important to learn everything you can about this complicated disease. There are several outstanding books on this topic, which can increase your understanding of the cause of the disease, appropriate medical tests and the various treatment options. There are also excellent books written by people who have walked in your shoes and they related how they overcame some of the battles in their lives.
1. It is “Healing Your Eyes with Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, Acupressure, & Chinese Herbs.”
I would be remiss if I did not mention my book in this list of important books on retinitis pigmentosa. This book is highly rated, partly due to the explanation of traditional Chinese Medicine and its perspective on the eyes, which is based on the brain-eye connection. In the last chapters of the book several proven methods of treatment used in my practice are explained in detail. These methods include supplemental, nutritional and necessary lifestyle adjustments for improved health. In addition, there are several chapters that specifically cover disorders of the eyes, which include retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, macular degeneration and much, much more.
2. ”Retinitis Pigmentosa: Diagnosis and Treatment (Eye and Vision Research developments)” by Michael Baert and Cedric Peters
The inherited group of progressive retinal diseases is thoroughly explained in this book. The degeneration of the rod and cone photoreceptors is one of the leading causes of blindness. Clinical symptoms are described, as well as, the mutations that can occur in more than 40 genes causing RP. Other neurological or systemic disorders associated with retinitis pigmentosa. The few available therapies are discussed as they pertain to the histopathological changes. Recent research is highlighted.
3. “Retinitis Pigmentosa: Causes, Tests and Treatment Options” by Dr. James Henry MA and Jeremy Norville MD
The retinal damage caused by the genetic defects associated with retinitis pigmentosa is explained in this book. The primary symptoms of RP and treatment options are discussed in detail. It includes a glossary of medical terms.
4. ”Going Blind: A Memoir” by OSB Mara Faulkner
This highly acclaimed memoir tells the story of Mara Faulkner’s life as she grew up in North Dakota with a father stricken by retinitis pigmentosa. The family kept his blindness a secret that was surrounded by shame. This very insightful book explores the ramifications of blindness as it pertains to the Catholic Church of the 1940s and 1950s, the Japanese internment and the Germans that dominated her hometown. Remarks made by people who have read this book include, “This is a remarkable, multidimensional, and accomplished memoir. The author renders the lives of her family members with candor, sensitivity, and integrity.”
5.” FOCUS – A Memoir” by Ingrid Ricks
This memoir is the story of Ingrid Ricks. She went to get new glasses and was informed that she was in the advanced stages of retinitis pigmentosa at age 37. She was wracked with fear on how blindness would affect her career, her two daughters and her husband. This remarkable story tells of how over an eight year period of time Ingrid had some very unique experiences. She traveled to South Africa to write about AIDS orphans, and she visited with doctor whose focus is whole-body health. Ultimately, she learned to embrace life and decide what things really counted the most. Many people reviewed this story as one that is powerful and inspiring.
6. ”Cockeyed” by Ryan Knighton
Ryan Knighton is a teacher at Capilana College in Vancouver who was stricken with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 18. This book tells of Ryan Knighton’s life, using humor, but this story is a touching memoir of the multitude of his life experiences, including his first experiences driving a car. Over a fifteen year period he totally lost all of his vision; however, he uses a cane, teaches and lives a full life.
7. ”Retinitis Pigmentosa” by William Toy Shoemaker
This book is a reproduction of one written before 1923. While there are a few imperfections with some blurred pages and pictures, the information is considered to be culturally important. It is well worth reading.
8. “Natural Eye Care Book: Your Guide t Healthy Vision” by Dr.Marc Grossman, OD, L.Ac.
Easy to read and understand 127 page book for both the everyday person as well as the health care professional interested in natural approaches to preserving vision.
This book covers natural approaches for 29 of the most common eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, floaters, dry eyes, myopia and presbyopia.There is a wealth of information in this book that includes:
- nutritional, diet and lifestyle recommendations
- eye exercises and juicing recipes
- vision and personality
- food sources for nutrients
- visual hygiene
- alternative therapies that help keep your eyes stay young
- related research studies
9. 10 Essentials to Save Your SIght – Dr.Edward Kondrot
The wonderful benefit of the book is its extensive coverage on nutrition, vitamins, drinking water, toxicities in our environment, exercise, etc. Not only will our eyes improve when we apply the information to our daily lives, but our overall health will reap big rewards. We may be able to prevent other health problems because of the valuable information in the book.
10. Ophthalmology in Chinese Medicine by Wei Qi-ping, Andy Rosenfarb, and Liang Li-na
A text is a clincal manual for practicing acupuncturists. The treatment of ophthalmologic diseases with TCM is a unique specialty in which most practitioners of Chinese medicine have little confidence. Eye diseases, occurring independently or as a complication of other diseases, plague millions around the world and can sometimes lead to blindness. Using the benefits of Chinese medicine to facilitate recovery or alleviate suffering from this category of often debilitating disease is a wonderful gift to share with all medical professionals.
With the aid of this carefully edited text representing the standard TCM approach to treating eye disorders in China, doctors of Chinese medicine can now learn how to effectively treat or slow the progression of eye diseases. WIth helpful DVD for Windows and Apple PCs, will not work in most DVD players in US.
