Dr William Bates, a New York ophthalmologist practising at the beginning of the 20th century, attributed several eye difficulties to anxiety, tension and laziness and devised a series of eye exercises to improve eyesight without resorting to lenses or surgery.
Bates’ exercises aim to ‘re-educate’ the eye so that it adjusts its focus much more efficiently – what he known as ‘central fixation.’ The eye muscles need to be able to move freely in order to make the tiny adaptations necessary to centre on the object of your vision. But, according to Bates, numerous individuals habitually strain their eyes by keeping them in a fixed position, ‘staring’ at a whole scene rather than allowing constant movement. His exercises teach you to relax the eye muscles and optic nerve and use memory and imagination to enhance co-ordination between the eyes and the brain.
The medical profession ignored Dr Bates’ theories, but followers continued his work in the US, the UK, Germany and India. Numerous people, which includes the writer Aldous Huxley, have claimed remarkable improvements in short sight, lengthy sight, astigmatism, squints and lazy eyes. Even kids from about five years old are said to be able to practise the exercises and men and women with typical vision may possibly improve concentration, reading abilities and co-ordination.
Eye doctors agree that eye exercises can support some instances, especially specific varieties of squint, but are highly sceptical about any claims to benefit macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma , Dr Bates carried out investigation but there have been no recent clinical trials.
Meanwhile, other relevant aspects of the pupil’s life can be regarded as such as health, diet, exercise, interests, anxieties and worries, and suitable suggestions made where needed, as, for example, the significance of sleeping well, of eating wholesome foods, of taking enough exercise.
Thus, by way of the practice of relaxation, movement and focusing of attention under the direction of interest and awareness, the pupil’s sight can be restored to it’s natural and typical state, though the time needed is really variable. A lot depends on the understanding and high quality of energy of the teacher, as well as the patience, persistence and interest on the part of the pupil.