| Exercises that improve eyesight
Teachers of The Bates Method believe that if people learn to use their eyes properly, they can abandon their glasses. Anne Woodham takes a look Dr William Bates, a New York ophthalmologist practising at the beginning of the 20th century, attributed many eye problems to stress, 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 more efficiently - what he called '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, many people 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 improve 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. Many people, including the writer Aldous Huxley, have claimed remarkable improvements in short sight, long sight, astigmatism, squints and lazy eyes. Even children from about five years old are said to be able to practise the exercises and people with normal vision may improve concentration, reading skills and co-ordination. Eye doctors agree that eye exercises can help some cases, particularly certain types of squint, but are highly sceptical about any claims to benefit macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Dr Bates carried out research but there have been no recent clinical trials.
What to expect
'Palming.' To rest and relax your eyes, sit comfortably in front of a table, resting your elbows on a stack of cushions high enough to bring your palms easily to your eyes without stooping forward or looking up. Close your eyes and cover them with your cupped palms to exclude light, avoiding pressure on the sockets. Breathe slowly and evenly, relaxing and imagining deep blackness. Begin by doing this for 10 minutes, two or three times a day. 'Swinging.' Relax and keep the eyes mobile. Stand up and focus on a distant point, swaying gently from side to side. Repeat 100 times daily, blinking as you sway. Blinking cleans and lubricates the eyes, which is especially important if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer. You may be asked to have a 'colour day.' Choose a colour and look out for it throughout the day. When you see it, be aware of the colour rather than the form. For example, if it's a red truck, experience the shade of red, not the truck. The Bates Method teacher will also give advice on posture, breathing, relaxation, diet and exercise to help relieve tension.
What to look out for
Where to find it
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