Exercises To Restore Vision According To The Bates Method

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Exercises to restore vision according to the Bates method

American ophthalmologist W.-G. Bates (1860–1931), developed his own system for improving vision, based on the theory that refractive errors are associated with abnormal tension in the muscles surrounding the eyeball. Modern traditional ophthalmology, according to which visual impairment is caused by organic changes in the tissues of the eye and the lens, refutes the Bates technique.

However, Bates's method has many supporters, and among its followers there are many examples that it works and brings real results.

The highly profitable industry for the production of glasses and contact lenses, as well as laser (surgical) vision correction does not recognize the possibility of correcting vision using natural methods, although it still cannot oppose any conservative and safe methods of treating myopia to Bates's method. Usually, a visit to an ophthalmologist comes down to the fact that he prescribes the next "crutches for the eyes" for a couple of diopters stronger.

Bates pioneered the search for alternative ways to improve visual acuity and developed exercises to effectively prevent visual acuity.

The Bates vision correction method is based on two principles:

• Mental stress is the main cause of visual impairment, because the muscles of the eyes tighten after the psyche. Mental stress leads to a loss of mental control, physical and mental discomfort is always accompanied by refractive errors. This is how myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and strabismus appear.
• The main principle and main exercise for improving vision is the complete relaxation of the eye muscles, relieving spasms.

Content:

• Shichko-Bates method
• Bates Method Exercises
• Positive aspects and contraindications of the Bates method
• Bates Method Lessons Results

Shichko-Bates method

Over the past hundred years, Bates' method has been used and refined by his followers. At present, the Shichko-Bates method is widely advertised, the author of which is VG Zhdanov, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

V. G. Zhdanov combined two directions: the theory of Bates and the method of psychoanalyst G. A. Shichko, thereby strengthening the psychological component of the method.

G. A. Shichko discovered that malware is destroyed during sleep if a person writes a special self-hypnosis in his diary before that. This is because the written word affects ten times stronger than the word heard, spoken or read.

According to Shichko's method, before going to bed, you need to write down verified phrases that make up a whole life program for restoring health and, in particular, vision. These psychological attitudes should not be formulated in abbreviated form, but in detailed phrases and full words. For example: “I will correct my vision”, “Every hour I let my eyes rest”, “Every day I feel that my vision is getting better and better”, “I can see the smallest details around me” and so on. After writing down such phrases, you need to do the exercise "palming" and go to bed.

Zhdanov formalized his method in the form of lectures and began speaking with him throughout the country, stating that the Bates method is ineffective without training according to the Shichko system and accompanying measures for separate nutrition, therapeutic starvation, cleansing the body, etc.

Of course, there is nothing harmful or dangerous in adhering to a healthy lifestyle or writing down certain phrases in a diary at night. But still, among all these additional manipulations, it is recommended to pay more attention to the old proven method of William Bates.

Bates Method Exercises

In a civilized life, Bates writes, the human psyche is under constant stress. The reason for the progressive deterioration of vision in people cannot be the fact that they began to read a lot and sit at the computer, since visual impairments in the near point (farsightedness) are almost no less common than impaired distance vision (myopia).

An eye with normal vision never makes an effort to see. Vision is ideal when the eyes are in a state of absolute rest, and any mental stress causes a conscious or unconscious eye strain. Therefore, in order to see well, you need a constantly relaxed state of mind and organ of vision.

Bates has developed specific exercises for each type of refractive error. But there are also basic exercises that can be performed for all types of visual impairment (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia (senile vision). All exercises are performed without glasses. Otherwise, their effectiveness is practically zero.

Palming (immersion)

Bates argues that complete relaxation of the eyes is achieved by protecting them from light hitting the retina. The word "Palming" is derived from the English "Palm" (palm). To perform this exercise, you need to close your eyes and cover them with your palms folded "house", so that the fingers of both hands are crossed on the forehead. Before that, palms can be rubbed together to warm up.

But even with the complete exclusion of light, the visual centers of the brain usually remain excited, which manifests itself in the form of residual light images in front of the eyes, a kaleidoscope of different shades of black. To get rid of this, you can mentally imagine black objects or black blots creeping over light spots. Breathing should be measured and calm. The goal is to see an even, absolutely black field. And this is possible only with complete relaxation.

Palming is the best way to relax the nerves of all senses, including vision. When it is possible to achieve perfect relaxation of the eye muscles (which corresponds to the vision of ideal black), it will be completely preserved even after opening the eyes, and vision will improve for a long time.

You can do palming at any free time, an unlimited number of times a day, for 3-5 minutes, as soon as you feel tired eyes. It is also recommended to do palming before bed.

Memories

When a person is able to most vividly remember any of the manifestations of the sense organs, his psyche at this moment ideally relaxes. Any pleasant memory gives the psyche a rest.

Exercise: Close your eyes and try to remember a taste, smell, or sound, such as the ticking of a clock. If you can clearly remember something and immerse yourself in this memory, your psyche will come to a state of ideal rest. Then, if you cover your closed eyes with your palms, you will see absolute blackness. In the future, you can do this exercise with your eyes open.

Mental representation

When vision is imperfect, visual memory and performance are also impaired. The psyche adds its own distortion to the imperfect image on the retina. Performance is closely related to memory, although slightly different from it. The idea follows the memory, since one can imagine some thing only when it is possible to remember it.

• Exercise 1. While palming, imagine alternately a black dress, a black hat, a black curtain, etc., keeping each item in your mind's eye for no longer than a second. You can go through all the letters of the alphabet in memory, imagining them as completely black.
• Exercise 2. Hang the vision test chart 3-6 meters away from you in a well-lit area. Look at one letter from the bottom line that you can clearly and effortlessly make out. Then close your eyes, do palming and imagine this letter as dark as possible. After opening the eyes, this letter should look clearer, as well as those next to it.

Moving and rocking

Vision deteriorates when the eyes are fixed on one point for a long time. Consciously or unconsciously moving the gaze from side to side gives the eyes a rest.

• Exercise 1. Look at a letter in the table, and then at another letter in the same line, at a distance from the first. In this case, the first letter should be less visible. Move your gaze from one letter to another, looking at each and concentrating on it for a few seconds. In this case, there should be an illusion of the line moving from side to side.
• Exercise 2. Look at a large letter, and then at a smaller letter at a considerable distance from it, while the large letter should be less visible. When done correctly, the table appears to move up and down, and after the exercise, the vision of both letters improves.
• Exercise 3. Look at one edge of the selected letter and then at the other. You can move from top to bottom of a letter, from one side to another, or from one corner to a point behind another corner. There should be an illusion of the letter swinging. When successful, visual acuity will improve.

You can also close your eyes, imagine a letter in black light and mentally swing it. Some people do better mental swinging than visual swing. But you cannot swing the letters with effort. They should swing as if by themselves.

Glimpses or blinking

Close your eyes and palming. Then open your eyes, look for a fraction of a second at some small letter on the test chart, close again, and repeat the relaxation. At the end of the exercise, close and relax your closed eyes several times, remove your hands from your face, make several turns with your head from side to side, without opening your eyes or rotating your eyeballs, and then blink quickly.

For some, one exercise will be more effective, and for others, another. The ways in which people strain their eyes to see are varied. Therefore, the methods used for stress relief must also be varied.

Turns:

• Exercise 1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Rotate your shoulders, head, and eyes 90 ° C to the right at the same time, while lifting your left heel off the floor. Then turn left in the same way. Alternate between these turns, which should be done continuously, easily, and effortlessly. Breathing is calm and deep. The most important thing is not to focus on objects passing by, and do not forget that this is not physical education, but an exercise to relax the eyes and develop vision. You can do 50-100 of these turns, in the morning after sleep and in the evening before bed.
• Exercise 2. Place your index finger in front of your nose and turn your head from side to side, glancing past the finger. The finger will appear to be moving. This sensation is intensified if you close your eyes and make turns so that the tip of your nose touches your finger each time.

Solarization

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn't overuse sunglasses. You need to accustom your eyes to bright light. They need sunlight as well as a state of rest and relaxation. It maintains the health of the eyes, strengthens them, stimulates metabolism, makes the look lively and brilliant.

• Exercise 1. Close your eyes and expose your face to bright sunlight. Turn your head and body freely to the right and left. When the eyes are accustomed to the bright light, you can briefly raise the upper eyelid of one eye, while looking down, so that the sun shines on the sclera. Then repeat the same with the other eye. Blink at the slightest eye strain. Solarization should be strictly dosed.
• Exercise 2. Stand on the edge of thick shadow, such as a corner of a house or a lighted doorway. Place one foot on a brightly lit area, not in a shady area. Close your eyes, lift your head, take a deep breath and start turning your head from side to side, so that your closed eyes alternately pass through sunny and unlit areas. In this case, you need to focus on the process, you can mentally repeat: "The sun comes, the sun goes away." Do the exercise until the eyes adapt to the light.
• Exercise 3. When your eyes get used to the light, you can cover one closed eye with your palm and open the other. Continue to make turns, sliding the gaze of an open eye along the ground or floor and blinking it continuously. Then raise your head and continue turning, blinking quickly and looking directly at the sun. Repeat with the other eye, and then again with two eyes closed. In conclusion, do palming, the duration of which should be 2 times longer than that of solarization.

Instead of the sun, you can use a lamp or candle. But sunlight is the most optimal and natural option.

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Positive aspects and contraindications of the Bates method

Positive aspects of the Bates method:

• The technique is quite effective for acquired anomalies of refraction of the eye (myopia and farsightedness) of a weak degree. If a person does not wear glasses, then with systematic and regular exercises, vision can be restored to normal.
• The technique is useful in any case - if a complete restoration of vision is impossible, then Bates exercises that relieve eye strain are an excellent prevention of its deterioration.

Contraindications for training according to the Bates method:

• Retinal detachment or the threat of retinal detachment.
• Postoperative period with surgical intervention in the eyes. You can start classes no earlier than six months after the operation.

Bates Method Lessons Results

The results of those practicing according to the Bates method are very different, just as the opinions of different people are very contradictory. Some were able to restore vision using this technique (especially in cases where the cause of poor vision was muscle spasm). Most people manage to improve their vision by several diopters. But there are also reviews about the complete absence of any result.

The most important thing in this technique (as, indeed, in any other business) is to do the exercises regularly and systematically. You can draw an analogy with strength training in the gym: if you quit training, then the gained results are lost very quickly. The same is in this case: after the termination of the classes, the vision can become the same as it was before they began, within a couple of weeks.

If the Bates technique helps someone to easily recognize familiar people on the street without glasses, without straining their eyes, to make out the number of an approaching bus or a price tag in a store, perhaps most will agree that this is already a good achievement.

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Ophthalmologist's opinion

Recently, there has been an increase in interest in the Bates method, the essence of which is to improve vision without the help of glasses. The technique is recommended for patients with various types of ametropia: myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, etc. However, often information regarding the Bates technique is disseminated on the Internet by amateurs who allow for illiterate descriptions and comments. This causes a negative attitude towards the Bates method on the part of professionals, many of whom do not even try to delve into the essence of this method for restoring vision.

However, if you look at the Bates exercises without prejudice, you can understand the following.

The essence of the method is to increase visual acuity by training the eye muscles, which are responsible for focusing light rays. Therefore, if the human eye has muscles, then they can be trained in the same way as any other muscle in the body. There are different types of training: gymnastics for the eyes, changing the visual regime, etc. That is why prolonged, motionless and intense looking at a monitor screen or TV is harmful, since it deprives the eyes of natural movement and training.

At the same time, it is necessary to understand that the possibilities of the method are not unlimited. The muscles of the body can only be developed to a certain level: just as it is impossible to increase weights to infinitely huge numbers during strength training, so it is impossible to get rid of high myopia with the help of Bates exercises. A realistically achievable result is an improvement in vision by 1-3 diopters. That is, a person with myopia -3.0 (or farsightedness +3.0) has a chance to restore his vision and do without glasses in the future, but if a person wears glasses of 5.0 diopters and more, then he can significantly improve his vision, but glasses are all will be needed equally.

The analogy between eye exercises and gym work is quite appropriate. A consultation with a doctor is necessary beforehand, and the classes themselves should be regular, with a gradual increase in the load. After all, if a physically unprepared person immediately takes on heavy weights, this will inevitably lead to pain and injury. The same principle must be adhered to when mastering the Bates technique.

In conclusion, we can say that the Bates method is not some kind of miracle or panacea. It is recommended for mild visual impairment (up to –3.0 diopters), as well as as a preventive measure for persons experiencing constant visual stress at close distances (students, schoolchildren, knowledge workers, etc.).

Source: The book "How to get good eyesight without glasses"