Author Description

The Old Testament warns us that on the sixth day, the Eternal created humans. Note that the creation legend swarms with all kinds of creatures, great and not-so-great. None of whom are physicians, surgeons, or doctors, let alone insurance agents. In the absence of divine intervention, Sharon R. Kahn, a psychologist, takes it upon herself to explain the ways of surgeons to humans. Specifically, out-patient surgery for ocular cataracts. While a cataract may just be a bad tissue issue occupying the anterior eye capsule for free, it represents a lucrative specialty for the surgeon. Not only will this surgery be reimbursed by insurance, but the surgeon will receive bonuses and enhanced fees for their performance. And, unlike Johann Sebastian Bach, the patient recovers to normal visual powers. In this slim volume, Dr. Kahn, a philosopher psychologist (or should that read a psychological philosopher, after all, she did earn a doctorate in philosophy), instructs the reader on, among other things, the professionals involved in cataract surgery, the types of cataract surgery conducted, both in the past and present, the instruments involved in both examinations and surgeries, what to expect both during and after the surgery, and psychological interventions routinely used in other countries which reduce psychological symptoms as well as the use of pharmaceuticals. There is only one way out once a cataract has formed and the mischief it will do to both eyes and the optic nerve should not be underestimated. Dr. Kahn educates about the anatomy and physiology of the eye, communicates about the negative outcomes of ignoring a cataract, and validates your feelings about undergoing surgery. And, since everybody will need this surgery if they live long enough, well, at last a pamphlet for the populace! They tell you what they want you to know; not what you need to know. When Columbo said, "Just one more thing," the person turned about and answered his questions. When