Bates is of the opinion that visual aids like glasses (including the modern day contact lenses) cannot cure errors of refraction for the simple reason that refractive abnormalities are constantly changing. "One cannot see through them unless one produces the refractive error which they are designed to correct. But refractive errors, in the eye which is left to itself, are never constant. If one secures good vision by the aid of concave, or convex, or astigmatic lenses, therefore, it means that one is maintaining constantly a degree of refractive error which otherwise would not be maintained constantly," he says.

The glasses, which are originally intended to improve the eyesight, ironically, force the eyes to maintain an error of refraction that they are meant to cure when in reality this error changes continuously from minute to minute. So this forces the eye to adjust to the lens and when it does so, it cannot operate as a natural agent, but as dictated by the glasses which weakens the eyesight to that extent.

As opposed to the popular notion that adverse conditions like bright lights, artificial lights, dim lights, sudden fluctuations of light, fine print, reading in moving vehicles, reading lying down, etc are bad for the vision, Bates argues that when the vision is normal, the above conditions are actually beneficial to the eyes. If one can keep the eyes relaxed and go about using his eyes in such conditions without any discomfort, it proves that the vision would be even better when the conditions are favourable, he says. He also stresses the beneficial effect of sun-gazing on the eyes.

Snellen chart

Bates recommends the use of Snellen chart (a chart with printed letters and numbers in lines of decreasing size which is used to test visual acuity) to everyone who wants to improve their eyesight. He explains various ways in which Snellen chart can be used along with his techniques for attaining perfect eyesight. Bates strongly opposes fitting glasses on small children as at a young age all errors of refraction are easily curable.

It is a truth that millions of people all over the world, not just with refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, but even presbyopia ('old-age sight'), strabismus (lack of coordination between the eyes) and amblyopia ('lazy-eye') have cured themselves by practicing Bates' techniques. Besides, even the patients with the organic disorders of the eyes like glaucoma, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, macula degeneration, etc have found great relief by following Bates' methods .

New insight

Reading Bates' book gave me a new insight into my own eye condition and I could link all my vision problems to eyestrain, which I confirmed by observing carefully the way my vision deteriorated when I strained my eyes.

By following Bates' methods and constantly reminding myself to keep my eyes relaxed, I was able to read, watch TV/ computer, even drive without the need for my glasses. It's been two months since I read Bates' book and my eyes feel better than they have ever felt before. I have even made a Snellen chart for myself which I use to record my improvement daily. Though my myopia will require some more dedicated practice to cure it completely, I am confident that with perseverance that too will be accomplished and I have only Bates to thank for it!      

(Concluded)