Book Review
February 2021
From the Consumer Connection, A publication of the American Medical Library Association
Maloney, Robert K., and Neda Shamie. Cataract Surgery: A Patient’s Guide to Treatment.
Second Edition. Omaha, NE: Addicus Books, 2020. 105p. ISBN: 9781950091386. $21.95
Maloney and Shamie are experienced ophthalmologists who dedicate this book “To the thousands of patients who have trusted us with their most precious sense—their sight.” It’s this precious sense that makes many worry prior to eye surgery, even though “By age sixty-five, most Americans have early-stage cataracts, and by age eighty, most have had cataract surgery (and) surgeons perform some 3 million cataract operations a year in the United States.” (p. x)
This is an excellent work for those or their loved ones facing cataract surgery. In 9 chapters, Maloney and Shamie clearly explain “the human eye and how it works,” and what a cataract is along with its symptoms and causes. In addition, they describe the preoperative eye exam, when to have the surgery, the procedure itself and possible risks, side effects, and potential complications. A final chapter discusses the “future of cataract treatment.” In addition, there are a number of excellent color photographs and illustrations throughout the book.
A must for any consumer health collection.
Reviewed by Claire B. Joseph, MS, MA, AHIP, Director, Medical Library, Mount Sinai South Nassau, Oceanside, NY
REVIEW
Library Journal
Cataract Surgery: A Patient’s Guide to Cataract Treatment
Robert K. Maloney, M.D. – Addicus. Feb. 2009.
c.136p. illus. index. – ISBN 978-1-886039-94-0. pap.
$19.95.
Verdict: A comprehensive guide to how cataracts form, their diagnosis, and treatment options. This book would be very useful in consumer health collections and a good addition to any public library with a large middle-aged or older clientele.
Background: Repairing clouded vision is the most commonly practiced surgical process in the United States; the surgery is quick, essentially painless, and effective the majority of the time. Maloney provides a lucid explanation of the procedure, complete with an extensive medical glossary featuring a large print for readers with vision impairment.
Elyse Pike, Health Sciences Lib., Grey
Bruce Health Svcs., Owen Sound, Ont.,
Canada
Refers to first edition.
REVIEW
Consumer Connection
The Newsletter of the Medical Library Association
Cataract Surgery: A Patient’s Guide to Cataract Treatment
Robert K. Maloney, M.D.
Addicus Books, 2008
121 p. Index. ISBN 978-1-886039-94-0. $19.95.
Dr. Robert K. Maloney has written a concise overview of cataract surgery. The format is logical, moving from anatomy and definitions to causes and risk factors to surgery and recovery. A 19-page glossary defines words printed in italics throughout the text. The type is large, with a lot of white space, which will be appreciated by those with cataracts themselves. Many clear illustrations and photos show eyes pre- and post-surgery, equipment used in surgery, and what the world looks like with and without cataracts.
Maloney’s writing is personable and even lyrical at times, and his tone is reassuring. He says that cataract surgery will restore vision of a sixty-to-ninety-year-old patient to that of a forty-year old. An explanation of the differences between an ophthalmologist, optometrist and optician is included, which will be helpful to patients who never needed eye care before. He is in agreement with the National Eye Institute and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, when he states that surgery is the only effective way to treat cataracts. He then proceeds to outline different surgical options, many with names like phacomoemulsification that he patiently explains syllable by syllable, exploring the benefits and risks of each.
A resource list is included, but bibliographic references are lacking, prompting me to check a few data points (which were accurate). Cataract Surgery is a welcome addition to consumer health collections.
Cara Helfner, MSLIS,
Faulkner Hospital , Boston , MA
Refers to first edition.