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Book Review: Visionary Kitchen:  A Cookbook for Eye Health

12/9/2014

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Reviewed by Marie Bodack, OD           Southern College of Optometry

I am an optometrist, not a chef. 
However, I do enjoy cooking – usually with the help of a cookbook.  I also try, not always successfully, to eat healthy.  So when I was asked to review Visionary Kitchen:  A Cookbook for Eye Health by Sandra Young, OD, I did so as an optometrist and someone who likes to cook. 


Visionary Kitchen is a cookbook “for eye health.”  Although the primary focus of the book is on foods that contain nutrients for eye health, especially for diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts, the author includes a discussion on glycemic index, so the book can be viewed as a helpful resource for people who just want to eat healthier. 

The recipes in the book are based around the key nutrients of lutein, zeaxanthin, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A family, vitamins C and E and zinc.  Instead of telling the reader to take supplements containing these micronutrients, Dr. Young attempts to educate the reader/cook about how to get these nutrients naturally.   The book opens with descriptions of each of the micronutrients, including an explanation of the purpose of the nutrients for eye health and includes food sources for all of the micronutrients.  For example, Vitamin C, “supports wound healing and the formation of collagen, as well as protects against environmental toxins.”  Its role in the AREDS-1 Study is also discussed.  Food sources of all nutrients are included.  Continuing along this vein, each recipe also includes information, either in percentage or mg of the micronutrients content.  Caloric and nutritional information, other than eye- related micronutrient content, is not included in the book, but can be found on the author’s website and downloaded as a PDF file. 

The second section of the book discusses the role of well-controlled blood sugar, from helping to prevent diabetes to helping to decrease the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.  The author explains that to “help promote blood sugar regulation, eat foods with a high dietary fiber, a low glycemic index and a source of complete protein.”  This is something we all hear regularly, but Dr. Young gives examples of what foods to eat, including foods listed by glycemic index, low to high.    She includes discussions of the benefits of UV protection, smoking cessation, exercise and weight management as well as cooking practices.  These sections are not overwhelming and consist of approximately a paragraph for each one, but are helpful in an overall wellness plan. 

After the introductory information, the book includes over 100 recipes.  The recipes are divided based on meal type and start with breakfast. The vast majority of the recipes include colorful, appetizing pictures of the finished product.  The directions for the recipes are easy to follow and include yield and the number of servings.  Although cooking/baking time is included in the text, there is no information on overall prep time or cooking time or level of difficulty.  The reader/cook has to read the entire recipe to figure out how much time to set aside for preparation/ cooking. 

One could prepare a variety of weekly menus for all meals, and snacks, just from this book alone.  Sections of the book include “drinks, snacks, salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, vegetables & grains, condiments/dressings & marinades and desserts.”  There is even a section on herbs and spices and includes “ethnic eye spices,” ranging from Italian, to Cajun to Indian to Chinese to Persian to Mexican, likely to satisfy any palate. 

I did make a few of the dishes included in the book and did not find any of them difficult.  For breakfast, I made the Omega-3 Pancakes and chia jam, as well as the asparagus and bell pepper frittata.  Both were delicious!  For dinner, I made the eggplant lasagna with fresh marinara sauce.  Again, the meal was delicious.  In fact, I prefer the taste of “my” homemade marinara to the store bought jar sauces, that I only make this sauce now. 

For those more adventurous chiefs, the book also contains a listing of herb and spice blends, including nutritional attributes and food/herb combinations to incorporate into meals.  For those readers who want information on scientific studies on nutrition and eye conditions, Dr. Young includes a list of references on nutrition with conditions including AMD, cataract, glaucoma, inflammation, dementia and diabetes. 

Visionary Kitchen is a unique cookbook that optometrists should read in order to better advise their patients with AMD and cataracts.  Instead of discussing only supplements, optometrists can make educated recommendations on specific healthy foods.  Patients will also find this book easy to read, and not too technical, so that they can develop a better understanding of eye health and how to eat better at the same time.  


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In Memorium: Dr. Jerome Rosner

12/1/2014

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It is with great sorrow we report the passing of Dr. Jerome Rosner, on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at the age of 90.

Jerome, born to Samuel and Rose Rosner, in Pittsburgh, PA, was an optometrist and a veteran of World War II as a member of the U.S. Army. He also taught at the University of Houston College of Optometry for 30 years and was named Professor Emeritus of Optometry in 2008. Through his practice of optometry and interest in helping children with learning difficulties, he published multiple books and founded two schools, Pace Academy in Pittsburgh and The Joy School in Houston.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Dr. Joy Rosner; four children, Joyce, Matthew, Michael, and Gregory; and two grandchildren, David and Zef. He was unfortunately preceded in death by his daughter, Carolyn.

Throughout his life Jerome focused on helping others and he will be missed greatly by many. His legacy, both personal and professional, will endure.


Because I was a learning disabilities teacher, I love the work of the Jerry Rosner.  I particularly love the TAAS and always include it in my testing.  It gives me the chance to watch the child’s eyes and tell if they can see the word in their mind, remove a letter or syllable, and visualize what is left.  So much faster than sounding out. It helps us know how to help the child.


God speed, Dr. Rosner.

Beth Bazin

When I completed my Resdiency @ PCO, with Jack Richman and Ralph Garzia having fled Philly for Michigan and Lou Hoffman heading to SCCO, mentoring was in short supply.  Charlie Mullen imported his old buddy from New England, Jerry Rosner to mentor me for a month while they began a search for Chief of the Pediatric Unit.  They had appointed me as Interim Chief, and Jerry and I clicked immediately.  After a couple of weeks Jerry told Charlie: "Ditch the search; the kid will do fine."  For that I will be eternally grateful. 

Leonard Press


Jerry Rosner spoke at Pacific when I was student.  He was the first articulate optometrist I had ever heard.  He had a way with words.  He was my first inspiration to do vision therapy.   He told me that if you sell bubble gum, you have to keep your doors open 24/7, but if you have something special to offer, you can set your own hours.  He maintained that vision therapy was something special.   Forty years later, I still use his book in helping my patients.   I am saddened to hear he passed, but thankful for his input while he was here.

David Cook 



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In Memorium: Dr. Albert Sutton

12/1/2014

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Deborah Zelinsky, OD, FNORA, FCOVD

Vassilis Kokotas, BSc, DOptom.c


Sad news usually appears unexpectedly, but is sometimes bypassed quickly by warm and sweet memories. This is what happened when we were informed about Dr. Albert Sutton’s passing. Scenes and discussions were highlighted in our brains, reminding us of all those experiences we shared with Albert Sutton as a colleague, as a teacher, as a mentor, as a clinician, as a friend, and most importantly, as a caring human.

Albert Sutton was always attempting to give answers, not for reaching endpoints, but for bringing up new questions and opening further discussions. This was obvious even by just looking at Al’s (that’s how he preferred to be called) research interests during his life time:

  • In the 1940s, postural considerations were a big part of optometry.  During that time, Al told stories about going out to piano bars with Darrell Boyd Harmon.  He said that Darrell was able to correctly guess the eyeglass prescriptions of each piano player, by observing posture when he leaned over the piano keys.  Al learned a lot about lenses and posture from those fun evenings out.

  • In the 1950s, he studied the relationship between vision and developmental concepts, contributing to a book on preschool vision evaluations with Frances Ilg and Arnold Gesell.  He also did a hospital study on how eyeglasses could change heart rates. He belonged to a study group with Gerry Getman and a dozen other budding optometrists.

  • In the 1960s, Al figured out that exposure to chemicals affected brain function – as children who were exposed to leaded gasoline fumes and leaded paint didn’t succeed with classic VT sessions. Once the children stopped playing near the car exhaust or stopped eating leaded paint chips, their learning improved.  He told about a story of a pregnant lady who lived above a dry cleaners and was inhaling chemicals during her pregnancy.  The newborn had those chemicals in its system.

  • From the 1950s to 1980s, he tirelessly spread the word that the eye was part of the brain.  This included 1970s meetings with Moshe Feldenkrais, Karl Pribrham, and Ladybird Johnson, and meetings in the 1980s with V.R. Ramachandran.

  • In the early 1990s, he introduced young optometrists to the concept of hair analysis being able to quantify biochemistry that affected brain function, and he treated biochemical imbalances. Al also showed us how primitive reflexes affected posture and eye movement, and led classes in how to integrate the retained reflexes. He loved the word “holistic” (a Greek word describing the whole concept) because it could reflect his clinical approach.

During those decades, he discussed how optometrists could modify brain function through their prescriptions, since the retina was considered part of the central nervous system.   His annual Sutton Symposium seminars in Denmark – led by Thorkild Rasmussen - have sparked years of  brainstorming, and his mentoring of younger optometrists – such as Curtis Baxstrom, Deborah Zelinsky, Paul Russo, Sam Berne, Ansel Johnson, Vasillis Kokotas, and many others - spawned a new generation of dedicated optometrists.

We had the chance to meet him under different circumstances, in different periods, but this fact did not prevent us from engaging a solid perception of his spirit. As part of this mentoring, Al constantly read journals from different professions and summarized them monthly at his study group for younger optometrists. In fact, he specifically said that he needed younger optometrists to carry out his work because it would take decades for mainstream optometry to accept the validity of his intuition. Al was trying gently, to teach everyone to observe the whole person, and not just “focus” on their eyeballs.  Yet, his mentorship was not limited to the optometric stuff. He was supportive and encouraging to younger optometrists in a personal way.

Deborah, who met him in 1985 remembers: “… when I gave my first presentation to the Great Lakes Congress, Al came and visited Chicago specifically to cheer me on. Al’s six decades of research profoundly changed me professionally and personally. I feel lucky to have spent 7 years in Florida with him as a mentor, and moved back to Illinois to begin my neuro-optometric practice with his encouragement. For over two decades I spent countless hours with Al and Lorraine via telephone and video communication regarding patients, research, life, family and business”.

Vassilis met him much later in 2002 but he recalls: “…I had just finished my presentation during a K.I.S.S. meeting and I was still feeling tense. I was trying to find out where to sit during lunch when Al waved to me… «Come here son, this seat is for you». I sat next to him and his warm friendly talk took away all the tension… Next to his plate, there was a small one with many pills of different colors. I thought he must be very sick. He must have read my mind, explaining that all these were vitamins, minerals and supplements. So, a very informative discussion opened up on nutrition and its effect on vision”.

In addition to his passion for mentoring younger optometrists, Al also had a zest for learning that always had him trying new things.  As an example, when meeting with Kerri Dietz Pilin he decided to try red beer (tomato juice poured into a beer) because that was a Nebraska thing.

Al was also blessed with his keenly intelligent wife Lorraine, who was a staple at optometric conventions.  She was a wonder of competence & diplomacy – able to answer any question at a moment’s notice, but giving Al credit for it all. During our study group meetings, which took place monthly for many years, she was always present assisting everyone, but most importantly Al when his hearing and eyesight had started to decline. She will also be sorely missed.

Al taught us to question “why” on each patient and to analyze the whole. He convinced us to continue promoting the mind-eye connection in optometry, and carry on his message to other medical fields, by participating in international conferences of other professions, such as the Society for Neuroscience, the World Congress of Neurotherapeutics, and the World Congress on Brain Mapping and Therapeutics. Optometry’s words need to be spread out. Dr. Al Sutton was a true pioneer whose work has been slowly changing our profession. We will miss his exuberance and encouragement both professionally and personally.



















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