Why Should Vision Loss Concern You

Serious vision loss, that cannot be adequately treated medically, is a growing problem, especially as the world's population ages. While a cure may not always be possible, there is hope! Gary Yoak's new handbook, "Victory Over Vision Loss" provides a road map to successfully overcoming the limits it imposes. Yoak provides the "inside view" to handling this frightening disability.

(PRWEB) April 9, 2005 -- Does the possibility of losing your vision scare you? Do you personally know anyone who is blind or has low vision? If not, get ready! The likelihood that you will in the coming years is on the increase.

The National Eye Institute, the U.S. government agency that conducts research on eye disease and seeks to raise public awareness of eye problems, reported in April 2004 that the number of people 40 and over who are blind or have low vision will increase from 3.3 million to 5.5 million.

Some eye diseases mentioned in the study can be dealt with medically. Cataracts, while significantly reducing visual function, can usually be corrected with a lens implant. Other diseases are more troublesome, though.

Age-related macular degeneration can cause severe vision loss, and at this point, the damage is permanent. Glaucoma has been called a "siletn thief" of sight, because the chronic form can have no noticeable syptoms.

In addition, more premature babies are surviving at lower birth rates. The "micropreemies" (undr 2 pounds) are especially vulnerable to retinopathy of prematurity, a disease that causes leaky blood vessels and extra blood vessel growth in the retina. This condition is often diagnosed early these days, but it can be very tricky, and a number of secondary complications can occur.

Gary Yoak has many years of experience with this disease, and has suffered virtually every complication it can bring, except total blindness. This led Yoak to write a handbook to help others who may be facing similar challenges.

"I wanted to lessen the pain and heartache this problem brings to people's lives. In 1987, when told I was legally blind and it was permanent at age 22, I was devastated. I knew a little about vision loss, but never considered I might be blind. This handbook shares all the things I wish someone would have shared with me at that point."

Yoak's handbook is available through his website, http://www.visionlossunlimited.com. He welcomes questions from anyone facing the real challenge of vision problems in their lives. He can be contacted by e-mail at gary@visionlossunlimited.com, or by telephone at 304-295-7913 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time.

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