Il Metodo Bates per una Vista Perfetta Senza Occhiali

by William H. Bates

Dagli studi, dalla ricerche approfondite e dalle geniali intuizioni del medico e scienziato William H. Bates, nasce questa straordinaria opera.
Leggendola potrai finalmente aprire gli occhi sul modo corretto di vedere: quello secondo natura.
Questo libro è la traduzione fedele della versione originale e integrale dell’opera più importante del vero pioniere dell’educazione visiva.
Ti potrà sembrare strano pensare ai principi di un’opera datata come alla soluzione dei problemi visivi. Tuttavia, attraverso la lettura approfondita, potrai renderti conto della portata rivoluzionaria delle scoperte dell’autore.
Ancora oggi l’oftalmologia moderna, infatti, si basa su scoperte effettuate entro i primi decenni dell’Ottocento, o ancora prima.
Le moderne terapie riconosciute, non sempre rappresentano una soluzione reale ai problemi visivi. Vedere bene, secondo Bates, non dipende solamente dalla mera capacità di leggere una tabella di prova, da vicino o da lontano, ma da una serie di capacità molto più complesse e determinate da molteplici fattori.
In queste pagine l’autore ci svela le basi della suo metodo che sta cambiando la vita di migliaia di persone in tutto il mondo.

L'autore
William Horatio Bates, laureato in medicina e chirurgia, cominciò a praticare nella città di New York e prestò servizio per un certo periodo, in qualità di assistente clinico, all’ospedale oftalmico-acustico di Manhattan. Divenne poi insegnante di oftalmologia nella scuola medica per laureati e nell’ospedale di New York.
Nel corso delle sue ricerche, Bates dimostrò in maniera sperimentale che la fissazione normale dell’occhio è centrale ma mai stazionaria, e la tecnica sviluppata da lui per il trattamento della vista imperfetta senza ricorrere agli occhiali è basata su questo principio. Il suo metodo sviluppa la fissazione centrale educando il paziente nella doppia arte di rilassare e concentrare la vista.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Fitness, Medical

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 1920

About the author

William Horatio Bates was an American physician who practiced ophthalmology and developed what became known as the Bates Method for better eyesight,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...

See also W.H. Bates and William Horatio Bates

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Clark Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of these editions are Dr. Bates' original book; 5 stars. Goodreads has many different editions, versions all together for one review. So be careful; some authors change the book by adding unnatural treatments. 3 stars for those books. Other authors add healthy natural content, pictures. Example; The Bates Method-Perfect Sight Without Glasses is a good book. 5 stars.

[R.L. Mosz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I passed my eye test for my driver's test. William Bates skirts around certain mysteries in this book regarding the brain, eyesight, and spirituality. I would like to read a book about him. His thinking fascinates me.

[Clark Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing clear Close and Far age 66! NO GLASSES.

Started using Dr. Bates method in 1974 high school. One day use and vision clear! Had 1st pair glasses for myopia (blurry far vision) and that day I threw them away and never went back to glasses.

Age 40 developed presbyopia (blurry vision up close for reading). The Bates Method worked in about 2 days; I used 'shifting' as described in Dr. bates book. I used it on close tiny parts of small objects.

Eye doctor previous month told me everyone gets presbyopia in middle age and there is no cure. He said he cannot discuss the Bates Method with me because I am not educated, not a ophthalmologist/optometrist so wont understand. He lied! I did not buy the glasses. Secretly told the lady in the office I will use the Bates Method.

I remember the first symptom of presbyopia; I could not see clear to work on a screw on the hotel front door. In about 2 days I went back to the job and could see the screw clear!

Now age 63 and still have clear vision. I also read fine and microscopic print the way Dr. Bates and his clinic assistant, wife Emily C. Lierman (Emily A. Bates) describe. Emily added a summary (all the steps) of the practice at the end of the book. So in this book you have the entire training; The technical/medical part, detailed training for all steps and the list 'summary' of all the steps for clear eyesight simplified at the end of the book.

Great book, rare humanitarian doctor!

This is the later revised edition of Dr. Bates original book with a different title published years after his death.

This new book is great, it WILL improve your vision to 20/20 and better. This later edition has omitted a lot of paragraphs.., practices and all pictures, especially Dr. Bates experiments but it contains the essential treatments and an additional section listing the main practice 'steps' at the end of the book by Emily C. A. Lierman, Bates (Dr. Bates assistant, wife). All the main steps are organized. Some later re-prints of the original book contain this; '1940' print... If your into preserving this method, deep study I suggest buying this book and adding it to your collection of the originals along with printouts of Dr. Bates original books, articles, magazines which are free on-line.

New Publishers, sellers were afraid to print all the original natural treatments in this new edition due to threats of imprisonment, lawsuits by eye surgeons, the optical industry who were destroying Dr. Bates and his wife's original books, his Better Eyesight Books-Magazines, Medical Books-Articles after his death in an attempt to hide true, safe, effective Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public. Note; the new book, publisher was forced to change the title from Perfect sight... to 'Better' eyesight. The eye doctors prefer to sell addictive, harmful eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye surgery and drugs. Lasik surgery on the cornea is big business and eye surgeons, doctors know it will lead to many eye problems resulting in more expensive surgery and lifelong purchase of eye drops and other medications, kits to treat all the eye, vision problems the surgery causes. This includes prescriptions for eyeglasses. Sometimes the side effects of surgery do not appear for about a year.

In the old original Bates books; some practices (which are removed from the new editions) like open-eyed sunning and the sunglass treatment which can reverse blindness must be done with exact directions, precision, skill and for a temporary time or eye, vision injury can occur. Dr. Bates is not here to treat the patients in person and give detailed directions. Modern teachers, authors hide these old practices to protect people, so they don't just read it in a book, interpret partially and then do it wrong. Others teach it, place it in their books but with exact directions and state that "only an experienced ophthalmologist who practices the Bates Method should apply it and only to reverse, correct advanced eye, vision conditions and only 'temporarily'.

There are people that stay with, teach only the original Bates practices but they misunderstand them and are using the sunglass on their eyes every day, a few times a day (and often with unhealthy artificial light) for life and advising everyone to do this. This is dangerous and is not the true Natural Vision practice Dr. Bates and modern Bates teachers teach. These people still have unclear vision, for years. Much anger, arrogance, stubbornness, partial knowledge has kept them and their students mentally, spiritually and visually 'in the dark'.

Science and art grows, advances. The old and the new is beneficial and must be preserved, but preserved in the correct form.

The Bates method works! The practices in this book improve the vision, even with parts removed for the modern copies. Note the many positive reviews, success. I especially like a review on ebay; the man tells how our Govt. politicians are bribed by industries... to hide natural cures, to hide much of TRUE history and science... Dr. Bates is a brave man. He stood up to the bad guys. He revealed the truth and suffered much abuse.

Suggestion to publisher; place Dr. Bates picture on the cover and state that he is an ophthalmologist.

Dr. Bates original book; Perfect Sight Without Glasses by W. H. Bates is also titled; 'The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses by W. H. Bates and it's other title; Perfect Sight Without Glasses in red, maroon, green and possibly green with gold braid border. Tan/yellow... dust jacket. 9 editions. Final is published by his wife Emily A. Bates (Lierman) in 1940. Antique originals can be expensive but worth the price.

Emily's name changed to Emily A. Bates after she married Dr. Bates.

[Povilas Balciunas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is split into two parts: original paper by W. Bates and exercises by his followers.

Bates makes a very similar point to Norbekov in his book "The experience of a fool who had an epiphany about how to get rid of his glasses" - glasses don't help, you need to invest your time and energy to improve your sight.
Except Bates focuses more on stress. He states that the main factor of bad vision is physical and emotional stress.

The second part of the book has countless exercises to eliminate stress and improve your eye and overall health.

I've been doing some of the exercises while reading the book and, although I do understand that this might be placebo, I must admit that I feel more comfortable reading and working on the computer.
All in all this book was a great read that eventually motivated me work on keeping my stress levels low :)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information, but I wish I had an optometrist who would be willing to do it with me. I have asked, but of course they are all taught in school that vision cannot be improved except by artificial means.

[Elisabeth M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how sound the science is behind these theories, but I figure as long as I don't know for sure, I'll go ahead and assume it's all true, try out what he recommends, and see if it works. Certainly can't hurt. All you have to do is read the book (which I've done) and give it a couple minutes a day (which I'm going to do). Worth it if it can keep your vision at peak, or even restore slipped vision. And if not, well, nothing lost.

[Clark Night · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect Sight Without Glasses is actually the original book before modern publishers altered it. Also titled; The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses. Beware of unnatural teachers who alter the book.

Some history;

Dr. Bates 1st, Original book in Antique 1920 Print. All W. H. Bates treatments and Dr. Bates Better Eyesight Magazine 'Page Two' of 132 Issues of his best Natural Eyesight Practices for every eye, vision condition; Myopia, Presbyopia, Astigmatism... Fundamental Treatments, Steps by Dr. Bates & Emily C. A. Lierman, Bates (Dr. Bates assistant, wife).

Ophthalmologist William H. Bates discovered Natural Eyesight Improvement, 'The Bates Method'. He discovered the true function of the eyes (visual system) and applied natural methods, relaxation to return the eyes, eye muscles to normal function for healthy eyes, clear vision. He cured; unclear close and distant vision, astigmatism, crossed/wandering eyes, cataracts, glaucoma & other eye conditions. Natural Eyesight Improvement was practiced years before Dr. Bates discovered it. It is the normal, natural function of the eyes. Dr. Bates book, magazines, method has been hidden from the public by eye doctors, opticians for over 100 years because this method works, is easy, anyone can learn and teach it, including children. It produces healthy eyes, clear vision and frees the patient from the need to purchase eyeglasses, drugs, unnecessary eye surgery. It can reverse, prevent cataracts and other eye conditions!

Some Authors are altering Dr. Bates book, placing harmful methods in it; they are selling a dangerous method called 'PLUS LENS, Anti-Corrective', the use of eyeglasses that cause addiction to glasses. They are selling eyeglasses with a treatment that causes cataract, detached retina and other eye problems. They are in league with eye doctors, surgeons.

So; no stars for; some modern book assemblers that have altered Dr. Bates work by adding un-natural treatments to Dr. Bates book. (I am referring to the books assembled by David De Angelis, Otis Brown and others. (Example; the blue cover version that has the subtitle; 'Bonus Inside, 40 page report about the PowerVisionSystem. May also be selling under different covers, titles.) Avoid all books that are altered with the harmful PowerVisionSystem,'PLUS LENS, Anti-Corrective Method'; using eyeglasses, causing addiction to glasses. They are actually selling eyeglasses, are in league with eye doctors, eye surgeons. The Plus Lens method causes cataracts, retina injury, detachment and many other eye, vision problems. Destroys the health of the eyes lens. (One of the authors developed cataract two times, astigmatism, extreme myopia, addiction to distant and reading glasses, has had lasik on his cornea and an eyeglass myopia prescription implanted in his eyes after 2 cataract surgeries. All caused by the Plus Lens method.) He tries to hide this as he advises this Harmful plus lens method to all people including children, pilots...

Dr. Bates original treatments in the book are true, effective Natural Eyesight Improvement but the added modern PowerVisionSystem and Plus Lens Method are not Dr. Bates work, they are harmful. The PowerVisionSystem involves using dangerous Plus Lenses and un-natural eye stretching... exercises. Plus Lens Method causes cataract, astigmatism, retina injury, blur... Pilots, Kids, Seniors, all people avoid this dangerous method! The book assembler is the same author of another book that advises Plus Lenses and other books on the subject. It causes an addiction to reading glasses, impaired close vision and impairs the far vision.

I strongly disagree with the Plus Eyeglass Lens Treatment that the assembler added to this book. It causes many eye problems, interferes with true natural healing. It is harmful to the eyes; Plus lenses are reading glasses, close vision glasses, magnifiers. I meet many seniors citizens and also younger people that have worn reading glasses for a few years or longer and it often results in cataracts, other eye damage. Eye circulation, lens, retina... health and the vision impair fast, immediately when reading glasses are used. The Plus Lens method increases this problem. Most Eye doctors are now placing a eyeglass lens prescription in the cataract replacement lens inside the eyes during cataract surgery; the person is then trapped with eyeglasses inside the eye. This maintains, increases the strain, tension, vision impairment, damages the eyes health, prevents natural eyesight improvement. The implanted eyeglass lens forces the eye, vision to remain impaired and increases impairment; when more impairment occurs or if Natural Eyesight Improvement is practiced or if the eye naturally, on its own tries to return to normal function; the eyeglass lens in the eye will not fit, work with the impaired or improved eye condition, shape, new focus of light rays. Unclear vision will occur; like trying to see through an incorrect eyeglass prescription. The eyeglass lens will have to be removed by more surgery.
If the eyes lens during cataract surgery is not altered, replaced with a eyeglass lens prescription near-sight, far-sight, astigmatism, bifocal.., then Natural Eyesight Improvement may be effective.

The original true Bates method alone is enough and is safe, natural. Dr. Bates would not want this harmful method attached to his book. It is completely against the Bates method.


Editorial Reviews


EVELYN CUSHING CAMPBELL
Better Eyesight Magazine

I have acquired perfect vision without glasses, and a relaxed state of once over-strained nerves. A visit to Dr. Bates wrought this seeming miracle.

The pioneer ophthalmologist's 1920 book. His findings after many years devoted to research and experimental work dealing with issues that orthodox ophthalmology could not explain or would not acknowledge. Not to be confused with Better Eyesight Without Glasses, a scaled-down edition published after Dr. Bates's death, excluding large portions of the text and all pictures.

VICTORIA COOLIDGE
HOW I HELPED OTHERS
Better Eyesight Magazine, April, 1920

When I had become able to read without glasses, and my headaches had become less and less frequent, and less severe each time, I was so enthusiastic over my experience that I was anxious to help others. My brother was my first patient. He has now done without glasses for about a year, and has made remarkable progress in that time.

CHARLOTTE ROBERTSON
Better Eyesight Magazine

How My Eyestrain was Relieved

I Have had such wonderful relief by following Dr. Bates' method of treating imperfect sight and eye-strain. I have practiced reading pages from Dr. Bates' book which I have always found encouraging.

W. Wallace Fritz, M. D., Journal of the Allied Medical Associations
The removal of strain causes a return to normal vision.

Marshall, Olive. "Has nature played trick on us?" Syracuse Herald. 11 July 1920.
Spectacles may be banished by the revolutionary discovery of Dr. Bates. He claims that all errors of refraction-nearsight, farsight, astigmatism and even old-age sight are due to a mental strain resulting in imperfect functioning of the muscles on the outside of the eyeball. The cure for all these conditions, Dr. Bates finds in relaxation.

HOW I WAS CURED OF PRESBYOPIA

By FRANCIS E. MCSWEENY

Better Eyesight Magazine, April, 1922

This patient was first seen on March 11, 1919. His right vision was 20/50 and his left vision 20/70 and, although he was fifty-one years old, he read diamond type at eight inches. He had not worn glasses for some months, and with the help of a cured patient had been able to improve his sight considerably.

My present vision is: Distance (both eyes): 10/10, 15/15, some of 15/10, 20/20 and 30/30. Fine print (both eyes): best at 12 inches, some at 20 inches, can see a period at 20 inches.


From the Author's magazines. (Free online. A great companion to this book);

MENTAL EFFECTS OF CENTRAL FIXATION

A man of forty-four who had worn glasses since the age of twenty was first seen on October 8, 1917, when he was suffering, not only from very Imperfect sight, but from headache and discomfort. He was wearing for the right eye: concave 5.00D.S. with concave 0.50D.C. 180 degrees, and for the left concave 2.50D.S. with concave 1.50D.C. 180 degrees. As his visits were not very frequent and he often went back to his glasses, his progress was slow. But his pain and discomfort were relieved very quickly, and almost from the beginning he had flashes of greatly improved and even of normal vision. This encouraged him to continue, and his progress, though slow, was steady. He has now gone without his glasses entirely for some months. His wife was particularly impressed with the effect of the treatment upon his nerves, and in December, 1919, she wrote:
"I have become very much interested in the thought of renewing my youth by becoming like a little child. The idea of the mental transition is not unfamiliar, but that this mental, or I should say spiritual, transition should produce a physical effect, which would lead to seeing clearly, is a sort of miracle very possible indeed, I should suppose, to those who have faith.
"In my husband's case, certainly, some such miracle was wrought, for not only was he able to lay aside his spectacles after many years constant use, and to see to read in almost any light, but I particularly noticed his serenity of mind after treatments. In this serenity he seemed able to do a great deal of work efficiently, and not under the high nervous pressure whose after-effect is the devasting scattering of forces.
"It did not occur to me for a long time that perhaps your treatment was quieting his nerves. But I think now that the quiet periods of relaxation, two or three times a day, during which he practiced with the letter card, must have had a very beneficial effect. He is so enthusiastic by nature, and his nerves are so easily stimulated, that for years he used to overdo periodically. Of course, his greatly improved eyesight and the relief from the former strain must have been a large factor in this improvement. But I am inclined to think that the intervals of quiet and peace were wonderfully beneficial, and why shouldn't they be? We are living on stimulants, physical stimulants, mental stimulants of all kinds. The minute these stop we feel we are merely existing, and yet if we retain any of the normality of our youth do you not think that we respond very happily to natural simple things?"

BETTER EYESIGHT
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF IMPERFECT SIGHT WITHOUT GLASSES

December, 1922

THE EASY SHIFT

SOME time ago a man came to me for treatment of his eyes. Without glasses his vision was about one-half of the normal. This patient could not palm without suffering an agony of pain and depression. He had pain in different parts of his body as well as in his eyes and the pain was usually very severe. The long swing, the short swing tired him exceedingly and made his sight worse. I asked him to tell me what there was that he could remember which caused him no discomfort.
He said, "Everything that I see disturbs me if I make an effort." "I try very hard not to make an effort, but the harder I try the worse do I feel."
When he could not practice palming, swinging or memory successfully I suggested to him that he look from one side of the room to the other, paying no attention to what he saw, but to remember as well as he could a room in his home. For two hours he practiced this and was able to move his eyes from one side of the room to the other without paying any attention to the things that were moving or to the things he saw. This was a rest to him, and when his vision was tested, much to my surprise, he read the Snellen Test Card with normal vision at twenty feet. I handed him some diamond type, which he read without difficulty and without his glasses.
Since that time I have had other patients who were unable to remember or imagine things without straining and they usually obtained marked benefit by practicing the EASY SHIFT.
No one can obtain perfect sight without constantly shifting, easily, without effort. THE EASY SHIFT is easy because it is done without trying to remember, to imagine or to see. As soon as one makes an effort the shift becomes difficult and no benefit is obtained.

SOME CRITICISMS FROM A PATIENT

By W. H. Bates, M.D.

MANY of my patients who were benefited by my treatment have been kind enough to speak well of my methods.
Recently I treated an elderly lady who was suffering from cataract with a considerable amount of nearsightedness. The cataract was sufficiently opaque to impair her distant vision very much, but strange to say, it did not apparently interfere at all with her ability to read fine print at a near point. She was treated twice with only temporary benefit, bought my book and returned home with instructions to write to me once a week for advice. In her first letter she said:
"Relaxation is not easy if one is part of a strenuous program of living." "Here are some of the items of yesterday's hours." "Before breakfast, I learned of the death by suicide of an acquaintance, and of the possible loss of an item of income which has been mine for years." The mail brought me two letters, one a bill for some work done for me, just one-third larger than I supposed it would be, and a request from a society in which I am interested that I would write a delicate and difficult letter." "Briefly, I decided to shed all responsibility about these things."
"What can be meant by page 127 in your book in which you say, 'It is impossible to remember even such a simple thing as a period, perfectly black and stationary for more than a fraction of a second?' And on page 138, 'A patient . . . could remember a period twenty seconds.' And on page 140, 'Most persons become able to remember black for an indefinite length of time?' "
Answer—By referring to page 127 of my book my correspondent has quoted a very small part of what was said about the period. I believe that with the help of someone who has perfect sight the matter can be made clearer to her. Again, I suggest that the patient read more of what was said, especially the connection between vision and the memory of a period.
"On page 140, 'Most persons become able to remember black for an indefinite length of time.' "
Answer—How this is accomplished is described at some length in the book.
Question—"May Central Fixation be illustrated by the following fact?" "When one reads a book, she does not read it word for word, but takes sentences, paragraphs, even pages at a glance." "If there appears a word in another print, or an unfamiliar word, or a mispelled word, that word leaps out, and the rest of the text is ignored for a minute." "Is not this simple and common?" "Central Fixation seems to mean to me that when I regard any detail intently, the remainder of the object is disregarded?"
Answer—The previous paragraph is full of errors. It is impossible to read a whole word, a whole sentence, a paragraph or a page at a glance. It can be demonstrated that with perfect sight one sees one part of a letter best at a time. It is all done with incredible rapidity when one reads a page of three hundred words in a few seconds. It is not simple and it never occurs for the reader to pick unfamiliar or mispelled words without seeing each part of every letter at a time best. The definition of Central Fixation is in the book and the patient has stated it wrong.
"I am trying to supplement your method by all the cure-alls I know; deep breathing, sun baths, new thought, Coue's rosary, Fellow's hypophosphites."
Answer—Imperfect sight is not cured by sun baths, deep breathing, new thought, Cone's rosary or by Fellow's hypophosphites. However, each of these methods may benefit the general health or relieve other troubles, they are of no benefit to the sight, with the exception of sun baths.
"I find that I can do the imaginary stunts better than the real ones; for instance, on page 168, exercise 4, I can swing the letters better with my eyes closed or when looking at a blank wall than I can when looking at the test card. I am reminded that when I was a little girl and played with my little dishes, I could get on better with nothing in my little pitcher than I could with water to be called milk. I could imagine milk in the pitcher when I accepted the task of imagining, but when I knew it was water I would not call it milk. I know the letters do not move and I feel foolish when I allow the illusion. The most that I have gained so far is the knowledge that the eye is passive and that nothing is gained by trying to see."
Comment—This last paragraph is very encouraging. Most people can do the imaginary stunts better with the eyes closed than with the eyes open. Looking at a blank wall does not disturb the memory so much as when looking at the Snellen Test Card. To be able to remember a black period, a piece of white starch or white snow when looking at the Snellen Test Card with the eyes closed is a cure. It is all right to imagine the letters are moving because this is a physiological fact when the sight is normal because it prevents staring or trying to concentrate. The dictionary defines concentration as an effort to keep the mind focused on a point. It is unfortunate that concentration is taught or recommended so universally because it is impossible to concentrate with the mind or with the eye and the effort to do so is always associated with imperfect sight caused by nearsightedness, astigmatism, cataract, glaucoma, disease of the optic nerve, retina or choroid.
"The remarkable instances of healing in Dr. Bates' book is encouraging to anybody." "But what about those who found no help?"
Answer—It is a fact that when one practices closing the eyes or palming and it is done right the vision is always temporarily improved. Too many people close their eyes without resting them or practice palming with a strain which lowers the vision instead of helping it. One can practice the long swing and produce dizziness, pain and imperfect sight by straining to see things that are moving.
Elevator ride
One patient came to me complaining that never in her life had she been able to ride in an elevator without becoming very ill. Her vision for distance was normal and she was able to read fine print without trouble. I at once took a ride with her in the house elevator and told her to look at a bell which was stationary in the elevator and to pay no attention to the floors which appeared to be moving opposite to the movement of the elevator. We rode up and down and had a good time because when she did not strain to see the moving floors she was just as comfortable and happy as she was when she did not ride in the elevator.
The people who found no help were always people who fought me for all they were worth. I remember a physician who came to me for nine months, every day, and devoted from one to two hours trying to prove that I was wrong. Finally after numerous remonstrances I suggested to him that it did not do him any good for me to lick him every time he called, if he desired to be cured. I advised him to try and prove that I was right. In a very short time he was cured.
The people who find no help are the people who do the wrong thing against my advice.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is tough. It’s unbelievably clear Dr. Bates was a genius in his field, but I struggled with the application of much of this on my own. I have since hired someone who is fully trained in the Bates method (and has restored their own poor eyesight to better-than-perfect) and it is helping so much. I fully believe you can restore your sight through careful, specific Bates’ method practices, but I also believe you need the assistance of someone who has been trained and mastered these practices. Oh, that the “genius” that is the medical industry would admit it has failed us in teaching that healing in all aspects of the body is possible.

[Afsheen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm new to learning about eyesight... Being new, this was a fairly difficult read. It's a textbook in story format...
I had to do a lot of my own research on the side.

1. Resting the eyes
2. Palming
3. Swinging
4. Memory
5. Imagination
6. Flashing or Blinking
7. Central Fixation
8. Sun Treatment

8 is one I have been practicing for a few months.

[Micaiah Keough · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS AMAZING.

[Ciaran Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

3d eyes

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sounds true to me. I want to try it out. My sister had vision therapy when we were little, and this looks to be the same stuff she was doing, so I'm inclined to believe it. If it works for me (I've had glasses for driving for 6 years) it'll cost a lot less than therapy. I read this in the first place because the same sister got it from the library; she seems to believe it, and she's the one who did all the exercises.

Quotes to ponder that relate to other aspects of life: p.50 "We cannot by any amount of effort make ourselves see, but by learning to control our thoughts we can accomplish the end indirectly."

p. 62: "central fixation is impossible without mental control, [so] central fixation of the eye means central fixation of the mind. It means, therefore, health in all parts of the body...all the other senses...are benefited by central fixation."

p. 83: "The mind attains its greatest efficiency when it is at rest, and it is never at rest unless one thing is remembered better than all other things."

p. 124: "It is not light but darkness that is dangerous to the eye. Prolonged exclusion from the light always lowers the vision."

p. 173: "You cannot see anything with perfect sight unles you have seen it before."

[Abhay Navada · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the way this book describes the connection between perfect eyesight and really good memory. Also, I found it interesting that relaxing the mind brings relaxation to the eye muscles as well, which in turn improves a person's eyesight, in some cases. Unfortunately, the book states clearly that people who already use glasses for most work on a daily basis cannot be completely cured using the techniques described. I appreciate that 'regular eye checkup' is something which is recommended in the book, as this is something which I myself failed to follow up on as a kid, when my eyesight began to show a few issues. On a separate note, the length of the book could have been easily reduced, as I found many points being repeated over and over again.

[Rachel Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

MRMMMMM so I don't know how valid his claims are since they're basically all based on his own personal experience, but I'm still willing to give this Bates Method a shot... nothing breeds faith like hopelessness! Really though, I am blind, I am desperate, and I can easily be convinced that ophthalmologists are conspiring to keep me that way... so I'm game to try anything other than this downward spiraling spec-dependence. It also resonates with my worldview that the mind is powerful, the body is mutable, and that we control much more than we think. My first steps: 1) Make an eye chart and 2) Remember the period!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from reading this book, but it was very, very, very tedious. I had to force myself to finish, but I don't regret it one bit. Bates apparently loved his profession, because he talks about vision with much energy.

I put the eye chart (which came with the book) on the wall in the kitchen where I can easily see it and practice the exercises frequently. Also, started taking my glasses off more often to do things I could get done easily without them, such as cooking or washing dishes. I used to keep them on all day from morning to night.

It is slow progress, but I have experienced some benefits.

[Monica Pawlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book for anyone who wants to explore an alternative to traditional optometry to improve and possibly correct basic nearsightedness or farsightedness. See also Relax, Smile, and Enjoy the View: Natural Relief for Eyestrain by yours truly.

[Kathely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't decide if this author is a quack, or a genius. If he's right, wow! If not, you're not out anything. My guess is that this method works due to a placebo effect.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books best used, rather than just read. Ample explanations of exercises to be applied for clearer vision.

[Hao Ca Vien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on vision. Methodology works but is not instantaneous; requires active practice like guitar playing or working out.

Good quick read.

[Lin Bartraij · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theory of seeing without glasses gave real big insights, but it is very advanced/ specialistic without any imaging and hands-on talk. This made me look up a Dutch and more visible summary.

[Vincent Kazibwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just relax

[Vevek Seetharaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A incredibly useful book if you want to revive your eyesight naturally. But very heavily technical, brace yourself for completing it

[Clark Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Sight Without Glasses is actually the original book before modern publishers altered it. Also titled; The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses. Beware of unnatural teachers who alter the book. Some history; Dr. Bates 1st, Original book in Antique 1920 Print. All W. H. Bates treatments and Dr. Bates Better Eyesight Magazine 'Page Two' of 132 Issues of his best Natural Eyesight Practices for every eye, vision condition; Myopia, Presbyopia, Astigmatism... Fundamental Treatments, Steps by Dr. Bates & Emily C. A. Lierman, Bates (Dr. Bates assistant, wife).

Ophthalmologist William H. Bates discovered Natural Eyesight Improvement, 'The Bates Method'. He discovered the true function of the eyes (visual system) and applied natural methods, relaxation to return the eyes, eye muscles to normal function for healthy eyes, clear vision. He cured; unclear close and distant vision, astigmatism, crossed/wandering eyes, cataracts, glaucoma & other eye conditions. Natural Eyesight Improvement was practiced years before Dr. Bates discovered it. It is the normal, natural function of the eyes. Dr. Bates book, magazines, method has been hidden from the public by eye doctors, opticians for over 100 years because this method works, is easy, anyone can learn and teach it, including children. It produces healthy eyes, clear vision and frees the patient from the need to purchase eyeglasses, drugs, unnecessary eye surgery. It can reverse, prevent cataracts and other eye conditions!

Some Authors are altering Dr. Bates book, placing harmful methods in it; they are selling a dangerous method called 'PLUS LENS, Anti-Corrective', the use of eyeglasses that cause addiction to glasses. They are selling eyeglasses with a treatment that causes cataract, detached retina and other eye problems. They are in league with eye doctors, surgeons.

So; no stars for; some modern book assemblers that have altered Dr. Bates work by adding un-natural treatments to Dr. Bates book. (I am referring to the books assembled by David De Angelis, Otis Brown and others. (Example; the blue cover version that has the subtitle; 'Bonus Inside, 40 page report about the PowerVisionSystem. May also be selling under different covers, titles.) Avoid all books that are altered with the harmful PowerVisionSystem,'PLUS LENS, Anti-Corrective Method'; using eyeglasses, causing addiction to glasses. They are actually selling eyeglasses, are in league with eye doctors, eye surgeons. The Plus Lens method causes cataracts, retina injury, detachment and many other eye, vision problems. Destroys the health of the eyes lens. (One of the authors developed cataract two times, astigmatism, extreme myopia, addiction to distant and reading glasses, has had lasik on his cornea and an eyeglass myopia prescription implanted in his eyes after 2 cataract surgeries. All caused by the Plus Lens method.) He tries to hide this as he advises this Harmful plus lens method to all people including children, pilots...

Dr. Bates original treatments in the book are true, effective Natural Eyesight Improvement but the added modern PowerVisionSystem and Plus Lens Method are not Dr. Bates work, they are harmful. The PowerVisionSystem involves using dangerous Plus Lenses and un-natural eye stretching... exercises. Plus Lens Method causes cataract, astigmatism, retina injury, blur... Pilots, Kids, Seniors, all people avoid this dangerous method! The book assembler is the same author of another book that advises Plus Lenses and other books on the subject. It causes an addiction to reading glasses, impaired close vision and impairs the far vision.

I strongly disagree with the Plus Eyeglass Lens Treatment that the assembler added to this book. It causes many eye problems, interferes with true natural healing. It is harmful to the eyes; Plus lenses are reading glasses, close vision glasses, magnifiers. I meet many seniors citizens and also younger people that have worn reading glasses for a few years or longer and it often results in cataracts, other eye damage. Eye circulation, lens, retina... health and the vision impair fast, immediately when reading glasses are used. The Plus Lens method increases this problem. Most Eye doctors are now placing a eyeglass lens prescription in the cataract replacement lens inside the eyes during cataract surgery; the person is then trapped with eyeglasses inside the eye. This maintains, increases the strain, tension, vision impairment, damages the eyes health, prevents natural eyesight improvement. The implanted eyeglass lens forces the eye, vision to remain impaired and increases impairment; when more impairment occurs or if Natural Eyesight Improvement is practiced or if the eye naturally, on its own tries to return to normal function; the eyeglass lens in the eye will not fit, work with the impaired or improved eye condition, shape, new focus of light rays. Unclear vision will occur; like trying to see through an incorrect eyeglass prescription. The eyeglass lens will have to be removed by more surgery.
If the eyes lens during cataract surgery is not altered, replaced with a eyeglass lens prescription near-sight, far-sight, astigmatism, bifocal.., then Natural Eyesight Improvement may be effective.

The original true Bates method alone is enough and is safe, natural. Dr. Bates would not want this harmful method attached to his book. It is completely against the Bates method.

Editorial Reviews

EVELYN CUSHING CAMPBELL
Better Eyesight Magazine
I have acquired perfect vision without glasses, and a relaxed state of once over-strained nerves. A visit to Dr. Bates wrought this seeming miracle.

The pioneer ophthalmologist's 1920 book. His findings after many years devoted to research and experimental work dealing with issues that orthodox ophthalmology could not explain or would not acknowledge. Not to be confused with Better Eyesight Without Glasses, a scaled-down edition published after Dr. Bates's death, excluding large portions of the text and all pictures.

VICTORIA COOLIDGE
HOW I HELPED OTHERS
Better Eyesight Magazine, April, 1920

When I had become able to read without glasses, and my headaches had become less and less frequent, and less severe each time, I was so enthusiastic over my experience that I was anxious to help others. My brother was my first patient. He has now done without glasses for about a year, and has made remarkable progress in that time.

CHARLOTTE ROBERTSON
Better Eyesight Magazine

How My Eyestrain was Relieved

I Have had such wonderful relief by following Dr. Bates' method of treating imperfect sight and eye-strain. I have practiced reading pages from Dr. Bates' book which I have always found encouraging.

W. Wallace Fritz, M. D., Journal of the Allied Medical Associations
The removal of strain causes a return to normal vision.

Marshall, Olive. "Has nature played trick on us?" Syracuse Herald. 11 July 1920.
Spectacles may be banished by the revolutionary discovery of Dr. Bates. He claims that all errors of refraction-nearsight, farsight, astigmatism and even old-age sight are due to a mental strain resulting in imperfect functioning of the muscles on the outside of the eyeball. The cure for all these conditions, Dr. Bates finds in relaxation.

HOW I WAS CURED OF PRESBYOPIA
By FRANCIS E. MCSWEENY
Better Eyesight Magazine, April, 1922

This patient was first seen on March 11, 1919. His right vision was 20/50 and his left vision 20/70 and, although he was fifty-one years old, he read diamond type at eight inches. He had not worn glasses for some months, and with the help of a cured patient had been able to improve his sight considerably.

My present vision is: Distance (both eyes): 10/10, 15/15, some of 15/10, 20/20 and 30/30. Fine print (both eyes): best at 12 inches, some at 20 inches, can see a period at 20 inches.

From the Author's magazines. (Free online. A great companion to this book);

MENTAL EFFECTS OF CENTRAL FIXATION

A man of forty-four who had worn glasses since the age of twenty was first seen on October 8, 1917, when he was suffering, not only from very Imperfect sight, but from headache and discomfort. He was wearing for the right eye: concave 5.00D.S. with concave 0.50D.C. 180 degrees, and for the left concave 2.50D.S. with concave 1.50D.C. 180 degrees. As his visits were not very frequent and he often went back to his glasses, his progress was slow. But his pain and discomfort were relieved very quickly, and almost from the beginning he had flashes of greatly improved and even of normal vision. This encouraged him to continue, and his progress, though slow, was steady. He has now gone without his glasses entirely for some months. His wife was particularly impressed with the effect of the treatment upon his nerves, and in December, 1919, she wrote:
"I have become very much interested in the thought of renewing my youth by becoming like a little child. The idea of the mental transition is not unfamiliar, but that this mental, or I should say spiritual, transition should produce a physical effect, which would lead to seeing clearly, is a sort of miracle very possible indeed, I should suppose, to those who have faith.
"In my husband's case, certainly, some such miracle was wrought, for not only was he able to lay aside his spectacles after many years constant use, and to see to read in almost any light, but I particularly noticed his serenity of mind after treatments. In this serenity he seemed able to do a great deal of work efficiently, and not under the high nervous pressure whose after-effect is the devasting scattering of forces.
"It did not occur to me for a long time that perhaps your treatment was quieting his nerves. But I think now that the quiet periods of relaxation, two or three times a day, during which he practiced with the letter card, must have had a very beneficial effect. He is so enthusiastic by nature, and his nerves are so easily stimulated, that for years he used to overdo periodically. Of course, his greatly improved eyesight and the relief from the former strain must have been a large factor in this improvement. But I am inclined to think that the intervals of quiet and peace were wonderfully beneficial, and why shouldn't they be? We are living on stimulants, physical stimulants, mental stimulants of all kinds. The minute these stop we feel we are merely existing, and yet if we retain any of the normality of our youth do you not think that we respond very happily to natural simple things?"

BETTER EYESIGHT
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF IMPERFECT SIGHT WITHOUT GLASSES

December, 1922

THE EASY SHIFT

SOME time ago a man came to me for treatment of his eyes. Without glasses his vision was about one-half of the normal. This patient could not palm without suffering an agony of pain and depression. He had pain in different parts of his body as well as in his eyes and the pain was usually very severe. The long swing, the short swing tired him exceedingly and made his sight worse. I asked him to tell me what there was that he could remember which caused him no discomfort.
He said, "Everything that I see disturbs me if I make an effort." "I try very hard not to make an effort, but the harder I try the worse do I feel."
When he could not practice palming, swinging or memory successfully I suggested to him that he look from one side of the room to the other, paying no attention to what he saw, but to remember as well as he could a room in his home. For two hours he practiced this and was able to move his eyes from one side of the room to the other without paying any attention to the things that were moving or to the things he saw. This was a rest to him, and when his vision was tested, much to my surprise, he read the Snellen Test Card with normal vision at twenty feet. I handed him some diamond type, which he read without difficulty and without his glasses.
Since that time I have had other patients who were unable to remember or imagine things without straining and they usually obtained marked benefit by practicing the EASY SHIFT.
No one can obtain perfect sight without constantly shifting, easily, without effort. THE EASY SHIFT is easy because it is done without trying to remember, to imagine or to see. As soon as one makes an effort the shift becomes difficult and no benefit is obtained.

SOME CRITICISMS FROM A PATIENT

By W. H. Bates, M.D.

MANY of my patients who were benefited by my treatment have been kind enough to speak well of my methods.
Recently I treated an elderly lady who was suffering from cataract with a considerable amount of nearsightedness. The cataract was sufficiently opaque to impair her distant vision very much, but strange to say, it did not apparently interfere at all with her ability to read fine print at a near point. She was treated twice with only temporary benefit, bought my book and returned home with instructions to write to me once a week for advice. In her first letter she said:
"Relaxation is not easy if one is part of a strenuous program of living." "Here are some of the items of yesterday's hours." "Before breakfast, I learned of the death by suicide of an acquaintance, and of the possible loss of an item of income which has been mine for years." The mail brought me two letters, one a bill for some work done for me, just one-third larger than I supposed it would be, and a request from a society in which I am interested that I would write a delicate and difficult letter." "Briefly, I decided to shed all responsibility about these things."
"What can be meant by page 127 in your book in which you say, 'It is impossible to remember even such a simple thing as a period, perfectly black and stationary for more than a fraction of a second?' And on page 138, 'A patient . . . could remember a period twenty seconds.' And on page 140, 'Most persons become able to remember black for an indefinite length of time?' "
Answer—By referring to page 127 of my book my correspondent has quoted a very small part of what was said about the period. I believe that with the help of someone who has perfect sight the matter can be made clearer to her. Again, I suggest that the patient read more of what was said, especially the connection between vision and the memory of a period.
"On page 140, 'Most persons become able to remember black for an indefinite length of time.' "
Answer—How this is accomplished is described at some length in the book.
Question—"May Central Fixation be illustrated by the following fact?" "When one reads a book, she does not read it word for word, but takes sentences, paragraphs, even pages at a glance." "If there appears a word in another print, or an unfamiliar word, or a mispelled word, that word leaps out, and the rest of the text is ignored for a minute." "Is not this simple and common?" "Central Fixation seems to mean to me that when I regard any detail intently, the remainder of the object is disregarded?"
Answer—The previous paragraph is full of errors. It is impossible to read a whole word, a whole sentence, a paragraph or a page at a glance. It can be demonstrated that with perfect sight one sees one part of a letter best at a time. It is all done with incredible rapidity when one reads a page of three hundred words in a few seconds. It is not simple and it never occurs for the reader to pick unfamiliar or mispelled words without seeing each part of every letter at a time best. The definition of Central Fixation is in the book and the patient has stated it wrong.
"I am trying to supplement your method by all the cure-alls I know; deep breathing, sun baths, new thought, Coue's rosary, Fellow's hypophosphites."
Answer—Imperfect sight is not cured by sun baths, deep breathing, new thought, Cone's rosary or by Fellow's hypophosphites. However, each of these methods may benefit the general health or relieve other troubles, they are of no benefit to the sight, with the exception of sun baths.
"I find that I can do the imaginary stunts better than the real ones; for instance, on page 168, exercise 4, I can swing the letters better with my eyes closed or when looking at a blank wall than I can when looking at the test card. I am reminded that when I was a little girl and played with my little dishes, I could get on better with nothing in my little pitcher than I could with water to be called milk. I could imagine milk in the pitcher when I accepted the task of imagining, but when I knew it was water I would not call it milk. I know the letters do not move and I feel foolish when I allow the illusion. The most that I have gained so far is the knowledge that the eye is passive and that nothing is gained by trying to see."
Comment—This last paragraph is very encouraging. Most people can do the imaginary stunts better with the eyes closed than with the eyes open. Looking at a blank wall does not disturb the memory so much as when looking at the Snellen Test Card. To be able to remember a black period, a piece of white starch or white snow when looking at the Snellen Test Card with the eyes closed is a cure. It is all right to imagine the letters are moving because this is a physiological fact when the sight is normal because it prevents staring or trying to concentrate. The dictionary defines concentration as an effort to keep the mind focused on a point. It is unfortunate that concentration is taught or recommended so universally because it is impossible to concentrate with the mind or with the eye and the effort to do so is always associated with imperfect sight caused by nearsightedness, astigmatism, cataract, glaucoma, disease of the optic nerve, retina or choroid.
"The remarkable instances of healing in Dr. Bates' book is encouraging to anybody." "But what about those who found no help?"
Answer—It is a fact that when one practices closing the eyes or palming and it is done right the vision is always temporarily improved. Too many people close their eyes without resting them or practice palming with a strain which lowers the vision instead of helping it. One can practice the long swing and produce dizziness, pain and imperfect sight by straining to see things that are moving.
Elevator ride
One patient came to me complaining that never in her life had she been able to ride in an elevator without becoming very ill. Her vision for distance was normal and she was able to read fine print without trouble. I at once took a ride with her in the house elevator and told her to look at a bell which was stationary in the elevator and to pay no attention to the floors which appeared to be moving opposite to the movement of the elevator. We rode up and down and had a good time because when she did not strain to see the moving floors. More free stories online.

[Clark Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the text version of Perfect Sight Without Glasses. A smaller book for a lower price. Contains Dr. Bates' book, Better Eyesight Magazine, extra eyecharts, training, pictures. Premium Color Edition. See Dr. Bates' Amazon Author page for his entire biography and a VIDEO of the book teaching Natural Eyesight Improvement using the book's chapters, pictures; amazon.com/William-H.-Bates/e/B004H9D... A 480 page version of this book in scans of the original antique pages, additional magazines, training, many pictures by a Bates Method teacher is available in color, black and white paperback. Dr. W. H. Bates started his career as an orthodox ophthalmologist following the old rules of the practice; prescribing eyeglasses... During his life, working with different patients, eye conditions; he realized that unclear close, distant vision, astigmatism, other conditions often cured itself, reversed back to clear vision when his patients stopped wearing eyeglasses and relaxed. He noticed that wearing glasses 'tensed' the eyes, eye muscles, lowered the vision and resulted in stronger and stronger eyeglass prescriptions. He began his own studies on the eye and its function. This led him to discover that many of the old ophthalmology, optometry 'supposed facts' about the eye, lens and its function and cause of unclear vision... are incorrect. Dr. Bates began teaching his patients to stop wearing their glasses. He taught them natural methods, including relaxation, correct use of the eyes/vision (shifting...) to produce clear vision. Dr. Bates cured his eyesight, close vision, presbyopia. Distant vision also clear. He wrote an article in his book, magazine describing how he did it with Memory, Imagination, Relaxation. He controlled, changed the focus of light rays in his eyes with his mind. Dr. Bates performed experiments on the eyes of animals, and observed the function of animal, patient's eyes under different conditions. He used the retinoscope to see the refraction of light rays in the eye under various conditions. He proved that the refraction, clarity of vision changes often. And when the eyes are left alone, eyeglasses avoided; the refraction, clarity returns to normal, clear vision. He proved that the state of the mind, thoughts, emotions, body change the refraction of the eye, clarity of vision. Example; when the mind, body is relaxed, positive, happy thoughts, emotions; the refraction is normal, vision is clear. When the mind, body is under stress, strain; the refraction is abnormal, vision is unclear. Dr. Bates discovered that the main cause of unclear vision and other eye problems is; Wearing Eyeglasses, Mental Strain, Mental/Visual Effort to See, Poor Vision Habits-incorrect use of the eyes/vision; squinting, staring, not shifting-lack of normal, relaxed eye movements, lack of central-fixation, poor memory and imagination... Perfect Sight occurs with Perfect Relaxation (deep or active/dynamic relaxation). Relaxation occurs first, then the eyesight becomes clear. Practicing normal, relaxed eye/vision function produces relaxation of the mind, eyes and perfect clarity. Dr. Bates' experiments on the outer eye muscles proved that tension in these muscles (mainly caused by eyeglasses, strain in the mind, incorrect vision habits) disrupts their function, the eyes' movement, accommodation/convergence, un-accommodation/divergence, causes pressure, tension, pulling on/in the eye, alters the eyes' shape, (and lens, retina...), impairs focus of light rays in the eye, on the retina and the clarity of vision. Blood, oxygen, fluid, tear circulation, production, nerve function in the eyes is impaired. When the mind is strained the brain, retina do not communicate/function together perfectly. Function of the retina is lowered. Relaxing the mind, returning normal eye movement relaxes the outer, inner eye muscles, returns the eyes, lens, retina... to normal shape with clear vision.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t see without my glasses, hence this book. I feel kind of dirty for saying this with all the success stories in the other reviews, but I don’t think this method will work for me.

This book, although it is from the forties, has attributes I expect from modern quackery books. At first, it overwhelms the reader with as much optometry terminology as possible, so the reader is impressed and confused at the same time, and thinks that this doctor must have authoritative knowledge. I suspect that the terminology used is outdated forties jargon, such as referring to a lazy eye as a squint.

The doctor who wrote this included many anecdotes of this process working and people’s vision getting fixed. I do not trust these anecdotes, because they are not cited. Where are the studies, the statistics, in short the proof? Perhaps I have trust issues, because I do not trust this doctor at his word.

The book insists on making observations about the eye and vision that I have never observed in my daily life, like the supposed link between imagination and good vision. It makes me think this is one of those that promises all but doesn’t work, except for the fact that the author admits less success with people who have been wearing glasses since childhood, like me. Damn. Now I will never be able to see without my glasses.

I may change the rating it if actually works.

[Cassi Hunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Evidence contradicts this theory.

Here's what the Wikipedia says about the Bates Method:
Despite continued anecdotal reports of successful results...Bates' techniques have not been objectively shown to improve eyesight. His main physiological proposition—that the eyeball changes shape to maintain focus—has consistently been contradicted by observation.In 1952, optometry professor Elwin Marg wrote of Bates, "Most of his claims and almost all of his theories have been considered false by practically all visual scientists."

The Bates method has been criticized not only because there is no good evidence it works, but also because it can have negative consequences for those who attempt to follow it: they might damage their eyes through overexposure of their eyes to sunlight, put themselves and others at risk by not wearing their corrective lenses while driving, or neglect conventional eye care, possibly allowing serious conditions to develop.

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a number of book based on The Bates Method but this book has a few details the other books don't cover. I had to wait months for this book from the library and people are still waiting, which probably makes it the most popular book published in 1940. The book also comes with an eye chart and if you don't have a Snellen Eye Chart, get one pronto because you need one to practice. I'm determined to continue on this program although, tell friends who wear glasses and they simply don't belive it can be done. I decided to do this when I realized continually getting stronger readers had also affected my long distance vision and the eye doctor said I might not pass my driver's liscence next time around. I'm determined to prove her wrong and since reading this book and starting the program, which also involves relaxation exercises, I ditched my eyeglasses. I already feel like my eyesight is improving.

[Mina 🤍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

when there was corona my glasses broke but because of all these corona rules I was lazy to get new glasses made. so I glued them together haha ​​and only used them when I really needed to. Well then I had the feeling that my eyesight had gotten better. and before that i had already read about eye exercises but never really tried it and then i tried to look into the distance when i was outside. from time to time I also palmed like bates explains. I think after 3 months I went to the optician because my parents said you needed new glasses! and shock my eyes were -0.50 diopters better. my eyesight has never improved before!! it got even worse while i was wearing my glasses !

of course i try to keep doing the eye exercises now but i think the most important thing is not to wear glasses. The exercises are good if you want quick results

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is true that you can improve your eyesight and be less reliant on your glasses, but it takes time. A few years ago I realised that sometimes I went days without reaching for my multifocals. Unfortunately with all the lockdowns and too long on the computer screen my eyesight went well and truly backwards. So I sourced this book again and I'm back to scratch. I hope it will work again.

[Aravind Appat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its quite descriptive with regards to the pathology of poor vision but the actual practical methods for vision improvement are poorly described and scattered in the text.
I do believe that his methods work and that he is a pioneer in his field. May his methods live on.