Eyes, Eyesight, Vision

If you do some searches online and read on the subject of vision correction, you will soon find that other than the mainstream lens prescriptions, Specsavers. contact lenses, laser eye surgeries, there is another group of people that believe the eyes can be trained to 'correct' vision. And it's not a recent theory either, the methods promoted by Dr. Bates has been around for more than 100 years. 

Based on personal experience, the theory seems intuitive. The habitual incorrect use of the eyes can lead to poorer vision over time (i.e. still trying to see when the eyes are tired). When this happens, we usually get glasses to try and compensate for the incorrect focus. However, in doing so the eyes accepted this new poorer vision as the 'normal' state and therefore are not exercised or challenged to even try and restore to its previous state. From that point, the vision can only get worse if the habitual incorrect use of the eyes persist.

The system therefore suggests that when getting glasses, patients should choose reduced power lenses to allow the eyes to 'carry more weight' and adapt overtime. Once the eyes have adapted, the power of the lenses are reduced accordingly until eventually the patient no longer needs glasses.  The method also suggest that patients have two pairs of glasses, one for long distance viewing (20/40), and a less powerful 20/80 pair for reading and short distance viewing (assuming the patient has short sightedness). It was a bit confusing converting the 20/20 notation to diopters, I found these tables that helped (Link1, Link2).

This is an intriguing theory and many around the world have claimed success to some extent. I think it's time for me to put this theory to test. I shall be visiting my optometrists soon to see if I can get some new glasses.

I shall be reporting my progress here...if any.

Here are some additional web-links:
http://www.visioneducators.org/reducedlenses.htm