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Glasses, contacts and laser surgery are not your only options when it comes to correcting your eyesight. Go the natural route with these therapeutic exercises
Giving your eyes a daily break is key to improving your vision naturally
Natural Vision Therapy first rose to prominence in 1937 when Dr. William Bates, an American ophthalmologist, published Better Eyesight Without Glasses.
Though it remains controversial in the ophthalmic community, his studies resonated with physical therapists, psychologists, and NLP practitioners who have applied his theories with great success and function under the moniker of “vision educators.” They guide patients through a series of exercises and relaxation techniques aimed at regaining flexibility in the muscles surrounding the eye and retraining the brain to properly process images.
Meir Schneider, a well-known vision educator based in San Francisco, practised the Bates Method up to 13 hours a day and successfully cured himself of congenital blindness. His latest book Vision for Life: Ten Steps to Natural Eyesight Improvement documents his successful blend of Dr. Bates exercises with his own physical therapy methods.
Natural vision therapy is not a quick fix. It should be considered a lifestyle shift, similar to incorporating yoga and exercise into your physical health regimen. As in Schneider’s case, with consistent practice and patience, these exercises can bring relief to even severe refractions (the medical term for eyes that don’t focus properly).
A principle of eye therapy is to regularly reduce the built-up tension in our eyes from strain due to squinting, stress, and too much close work or screen time. Relaxed eyes should be able to see clearly, both near and far, without any effort.
The exercises and relaxation techniques work in tandem to reduce the tension in the muscles surrounding the eyes and use the plasticity of the brain to rewire it to process clear visual details.
One of the simplest and most powerful exercises is called palming. It is a technique aimed at relaxing the optic nerve and releasing any toxicity and strain that may have built up in that area. According to Schneider, this exercise must be done for at least 8 minutes to fully allow your optic nerve to relax. You can do it several times a day, and for longer stretches if you have time.
For more exercises and information about natural vision therapy, see the Canadian Association of Vision Educators.