Improved eyesight! & Bates' method

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sunpower9
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Improved eyesight! & Bates' method

Post by sunpower9 »

Went to to an eye specialist to have my eyes checked and it seems that my eyepower has changed, I was using -5 contact lenses it's now -4.75, I definitely think this is due to the change in my diet, I am happy :) I have also noticed that my eye color has changed from dark brown to light brown.
Gavriel
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Post by Gavriel »

have had the same after half a year on the diet.

I wear no glasses at all anymore :)
Brian
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Post by Brian »

While we're on the subject, does anyone have any experience or thoughts on the Bate's method?

http://www.iblindness.org/
nick
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Post by nick »

Yes, I tried it. I don't know. The theory seems dead on.
I noticed more relaxation and temporary flashes of improved vision. I found the relaxing to be very hard, because your trying to relax which doesn't really help you fully relax. Its hard to 'let go' while practising palming and sunning. I would love to try it again. Its like first getting the wai diet figured out and once you do it gets easier.

Let me know if you try it!
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Oscar
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Post by Oscar »

I actually did a Bates course last year, so I'm working on getting my eyesight back to normal. It seems to me that my eyes are slowly getting better, but since my eyesight was pretty bad, the big noticeable results will take a while.

Tom Quackenbush wrote an extensive book on the Bates method. If you are looking for a book about it, that's a good choice.

For more info: http://www.naturalvisioncenter.com/.
huntress
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Post by huntress »

Congratulations sunpower9! :D

I would very much love not to wear glasses anymore. The thing is, I have an eye disorder in my left eye:Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) which I am hoping that being on this diet would reduce the fuzziness/blurriness in my left central vision.

Wow Gavriel, you amaze me, yet again! :shock:
What was the power of your lens before your vision improved?
I am currently at -2.50 (L) and -3.00 (R).
Corinne
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improved eye sight

Post by Corinne »

Hi everyone!
after some time of not posting I am catching up!

I also took a Bates class last fall taught by Tom Quakenbush (the author Oscar mentioned. I also recommend his book BTW). I notice my eyes improving slowly but I started the Bates method about a month after the diet so I don't know which is which! Probably both are working together to retore my perfect vision.
I have definitly noticed that my eyes used to be Greenish-Brown and now are much greener and brighter that before.

These transformations are all very exciting! :D
sunpower9
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Post by sunpower9 »

Hi all :)

Good for u Gavriel 8)

The transformations are indeed exciting Corinne :o

Thanx huntress ! i am also waiting to get rid of my glasses permanently, dunno how long it will take, gotta wait and watch. But I am very sure the diet will do it for me.I did read the Bates method a long time back however did not try it.
CurlyGirl
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Post by CurlyGirl »

Just for the record, my prescription is -3.50, both sides (myopia). I am planning to follow the Quackenbush system and also hope that the diet will provide all necessary nutrients for the regeneration of my eyes. My vision started to fail in 1996, shortly after an 8-week period in hospital with pneumonia. Perhaps my eyes were deprived of oxygen as a result of the illness? Of course, I do also read a lot, and use the computer daily - but then millions of people do that every day too, and don't experience failing vision.
rafaelo
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Post by rafaelo »

i have that quackenbush book. saved me from getting glasses when i thought i needed them.
tjfillion
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Post by tjfillion »

If you're having trouble with Bates I have a (long) suggestion:

A year and a half ago I began studying the Alexander Technique to help with my TMJ conditions. In short, it is a method to return yourself to your most natural self. You want the energy, posture, and moment of a child. This is obtained through basically 2 steps: Release and Relearn. First you learn how to release muscular tension (in a way different to standard relaxation methods), and then you begin a more and more careful self-observation of yourself. By moderating your habits, you learn which are most ineffective and change them. An Alexander Teacher actually helps you learn how to move in a new way.

So I think a lot of you might find this interesting since we're all into returning to a more natural diet and a more natural way to see. The Technique is a principal for me that sort of puts everything together. I study the Technique for a holistic, general improvement in my body, and then use various specific methods (Wai, Bates) to accomplish my more specific goals.

Ok so I've been doing natural vision improvement for about 6 months with great results. As of now I only need my glasses to drive at night in the rain ;) I started at a -3.50 and -2.50 prescription, my driving glasses as of now are -1.25 for each eye.

One book that has really helped me is "Eyebody" by Peter Grunwald. He was an Alexander Teacher who also studied the Bates Method and then combined the two. He knows the 'relaxation' of the AT and is able to apply that to his vision.

Nick especially .... since you "found the relaxing to be very hard" you might want to get more control in relaxing your whole body first. Think about it. It's probably easier to relax huge, visible muscles (back, legs, neck) than tiny muscles (eye) that are small and hidden beneath skin.

If anyone is interested, I could post instructions on how to do an Alexander lay-down (the relaxation method). I would probably post a 15 minute verbal file that guides you through it. It's really easy and pretty much amazing!
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Oscar
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Post by Oscar »

Sure, sounds interesting. :)

Edit: Would you have any tips for relaxing the eye muscles? I don't really have any problems relaxing the bigger muscles, but the eye muscles, especially the oblique ones, are not that easy to relax.

More info on eyebody.com.
tjfillion
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Post by tjfillion »

The key is in visualization rather than direct relaxation.

First you need to understand the anatomy of the eye inside and out (which unfortunately I don't yet ... I'd love to come across a 3D model, because a written description with pictures isn't quite doing it for me).

Then, depending on your condition (near/far-sighted, astigmatism, light sensitivity, etc) certain parts of your eye will be mishapen.

You then have to visualize those muscles and structures in your mind's eye and imagine them lengthening and widening or doing whatever else needs to be done.

For example, your cornea is on the surface of your eye and is basically your natural contact lense. To help it relax, you would think of an imaginary contact lense on your eye. Then, gently imagine it gently releasing up, down, and to the sides. Imagine it growing, but do not force an increase in its size. You don't want to stretch your cornea so that it is bigger, but release the tension that is making it smaller. The release will relax it to its natural size.

I know it's kind of confusing. That's why I'd suggest doing things like this with your larger body first, where it is much easier to communicate with the muscles. You will feel a relaxation in your back if you work with it correctly. Since the eye is so small you need to be really sensitive to changes. Eventually I'll post an Alexander Lay-down and show you what I mean.

Luckily there are all kinds of explorations you can do for the eye that also help improve your vision. They aren't excersises though. In excersise people strain and force for a desired goal (bigger muscles, lost weight) and do repetitive motions. Repetition leads to zoning out and then you won't be paying attention to the quality of your movement.

These explorations are gentle and you can only do them and hope to see results. Trying harder (using more muscle tension) will not get your eyes to relax more, but actually make it worse. Go for quality rather than quantity.

Something as simple as gently looking from the left to the right and back with your eyes over and over again will help. Notice the path your eyes take. Notcie if it is smooth, or jerky. Notice where your eyes strain, and notice how far they can move. Can one move better than the other? Can your eyes turn to the left more than the right? Is a faster speed easier/harder? Etc. etc. You can do all sorts of explorations that help aquaint you with your eyes. You can pretty much make them up as you go. Just remember: Never strain and don't do them for too long. Also, if you think you're working too hard you probably are. One gentle movement that you really notice the details of is better than 100 that do not have your attention. Also, you're better off imagining moving your eyes than forcing them places they cannot go.

That vision excersise if sort of Feldenkrais based, a method of moving the body more naturally.

Eyebody really gets into how your brain and eyes connect together ... it's really interesting but parts of it are daunting to read. He asks you to visualize your nerve impulses from your eyes to your brain and notice how different types of seeing uses different parts of the brain. I wouldn't recommend this type of visualization until you are more aquainted with the larger body.

Good luck, there's lots of good reading out there. Pretty much anywhere is a good place to start.
tjfillion
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Post by tjfillion »

Oscar,
Sorry I pretty much didn't answer your question. What have you been doing to relax your larger muscles and your eyes?
huntress
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Post by huntress »

tjfillion :D ,

Thank you for introducing the Alexander Technique! I did some search on it and it says that the technique is also beneficial to dancers. I've never heard of the Alexander Technique before, but I am very interested in it now. My main goal here is to create a better balance and coordination; two essential things for a dancer. :)

And ofcourse, to improve my eyesight!

Thanks tjfillion, once again!
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