Discover The Story Of The Eye

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Discover The Story Of The Eye (NAPSA)—A new book takes a long and fascinating look at history and biology. Over a span of 543 million years, ocular evolution spawned a variety of eyes for the creatures inhabiting the earth. For species from single-cell organisms to humans, eyes have evolved to form myriad optical and physiological masterpieces. Now, for the first time, the amazing progression of the eyes is documented through the ages by the extensive research of Dr. Ivan Schwab and more than 400 stunning imagesof critical species and their ocular microscopy. His astounding book, “Evolution’s Witness: How Eyes Evolved,” was published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Schwabis a professor at the University of California, Davis, where he has worked as an ophthalmologist for more than 20 years. His strong interest in biol- ogy and naturalhistory led him to investigate ocular stem cells, bioengineered tissues for the eye and comparative optics and physiol- ogy. His research took him from the Burgess Shale in the Canadian Rockies to the Ediacaran Hills in South Australia and to every point on earth holding answers to the wondrous ocular evolution. “Like evolution oflife in general, the eye’s early trail is obscure,” Dr. Schwab says. “Evolution’s Witness’ tracks the advancements, springing them to life. Spiders develop tiny, well-formed eyes with scanning optics and three visual pigments, scallops use the 40 to 100 eyes that circle their mantle and birds possess the ability to see up to five times better than humans. It’s the storybook tale of life and how eyesight evolved from a primeval organism to an unending variety of RU sts IVAN R. SCHWAB, MD, FACS TY A new book, “Evolution’s Wit- ness,” can enhanceyour reading, spark lively discussions and provide personal enjoyment. eyes with at least 10 fundamental designs.” This extraordinary voyage through time is a must-read for ophthalmologists, optometrists, biologists, neurophysiologists and anyone interested in science. Yet everyone from an accountant to the CEO of a Fortune 500 company will be enthralled; the pages lead the mind through a fascinating world of discovery about vision, a saga rarely told before and never with the intrigue, detail and imagery that Dr. Schwab presents. His book is a leisurely stroll through earth’s history, one that brings a delightful balance of entertainment and intellectual stimulation. “This book is a sure winner,” says Richard Alan Lewis, a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine. “It is a tantalizing tale of the evolution of vision. Readers will not be able to put it down. It will capture your imagination.” It’s available at bookstores and on Amazon.com. For more informa- tion, visit www.evolutionswitness. com.

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