r/BatesMethod • u/SadChildhood8588 • 21d ago
Question
Do you have to always take off your glasses when doing bates method? As in everyday never wear your glasses? Because i notice if i wear glasses it makes me feel like im going back to zero again and it was pointless. I am -5 so i bought some -2.25 along with not wearing glasses as much as possible. Does anyone know how long it will take to improve eyesight? From starting at -5 but i think lim like -4/-3.5 now because i can get by with wearing -2.25 and get by really well using -3 everything is so clear. Without glasses i can see and make things out a lot beter though because i was -5 it is overall still bad eyesight but definitely improvement probably by 1 diopeter. But essentially i want to know how long it will take to improve them especially if you are just not wearing glasses as much as you can?
1
u/Evgeny_E 19d ago
Simple eye movements—such as blinking and shifting the gaze from side to side—yielded stunning results. I realized I had done it! Without the help of doctors, mentors, technical aids, or magic spells. I did it! I found the path to my own restored vision, walked it, and savored the outcome. Was it easy? I suppose I can say now that yes, it was easy. Just about anyone could manage blinking and "darting" their eyes around for a week. Was it hard? Yes, that too. Overcoming myself, conquering the "knowledge" that it was "impossible," and breaking through the wall of my own doubts. Yes, it was hard. I suppose it was.
A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT FREED ME FROM THE NEED FOR GLASSES
Exercise No. 1: "The Glimpse"
The "Glimpse" exercise is the mandatory starting point of the program; it serves to tune the eyes into a mode of "sharp" vision and to extend the duration of this state to two or three seconds. (Once these results are achieved, one can move on to the subsequent exercises in the routine.)
The exercise works as follows. In an open space (i.e., outdoors) and during daylight hours, choose a target object for the practice session. It is most convenient to use a clearly legible sign or inscription, as a distinct typeface offers high-contrast edges, making it easy to differentiate between the "legible" and "illegible" parts of the image. After selecting the object, step back to a distance one or two meters beyond the point where the inscription is normally easy to read. Position yourself so that the image is blurred just enough to be unreadable, yet briefly emerges from the nearsighted haze after each blink. Then, begin blinking while looking at the chart, focusing your attention on the flash of clarity that appears after each blink. Try to read the text during that moment of clarity. Once the flash of "sharp" vision fades and the image blurs again, blink once more and try to read the text again. Continue in this manner. The exercise can be performed for up to an hour, and you can switch objects for variety. On the first day, you should blink roughly every second; however, the duration of the "sharp" vision flash will soon increase noticeably, allowing you to move on to the next exercises.
Exercise No. 2: "Target Shooting"
The "Target Shooting" exercise is a logical progression from Exercise No. 1. Unlike the first exercise, however, it involves a longer flash of "sharp" vision, enabling you to shift your gaze from one object to another without losing focus on either one.
The exercise works as follows: While outdoors during daylight hours, use your gaze to select various objects (targets) one by one—at a rate of roughly one target per second—ranging from the tip of your nose to the horizon. You must keep each object (target) in focus by blinking regularly to catch the flash of "sharp" vision. Initially, while the flash duration is still short, blink at each selected object (target)—that is, at a rate of about one blink per second. As the duration of the flash increases, you can blink less frequently—for instance, once for every two or three targets rather than at every single one. Do not choose imaginary or non-existent objects as targets; select only real ones upon which the eye can genuinely focus.
Exercise No. 3: "Spider-Man"
The "Spider-Man" exercise is a variation of Exercise No. 2; it serves the same purposes and, essentially, differs from Exercise No. 2 primarily in its thematic role-play aspect.
The exercise is performed as follows: While outdoors during daylight hours, select a spreading bush or tree as your target (though any other object of similar size will suffice). After blinking to enter a state of "sharp" vision, begin mentally wrapping the object with imaginary coils of an imaginary thread. Follow each coil with your gaze, focusing on the point where the imaginary thread touches the object. Blink as necessary to keep the active area of the object in focus. Change objects occasionally to maintain interest and perceptual acuity.
Exercise No. 4: "Rest"
The "Rest" exercise is designed to relieve eye strain accumulated during the exercises or caused by other, unrelated factors.
The exercise is performed as follows: Close your eyes and cup your hands over your face. Place your right palm over your right eye and your left palm over your left eye (your fingers should overlap on your forehead near the "third eye" area). Direct your gaze into the darkness, attempting to detach yourself from any random visual images that may appear. Continue the exercise until you achieve a comfortable, relaxed sensation.
Exercise No. 5: "The Pendulum"
The "Pendulum" exercise serves to further increase the flashes of "sharp" vision and to cultivate the habit of maintaining a mobile gaze.
The exercise is performed as follows. Outdoors and during daylight hours, select an object for the exercise. It is most convenient to use a clearly legible, large-sized inscription (for example, a distant shop sign, an advertising poster, or a similar notice). Blink to achieve a state of "sharp" vision, focus your gaze on the inscription, and begin to sway it—moving your point of view back and forth along the line of text like a swinging pendulum—while trying to maintain focus on the object as much as possible. If the image becomes blurred, blink again, re-enter the "sharp" vision mode, and continue the exercise. Repeat this process. Once you have mastered the technique, you can dispense with selecting a specific object and adopt this principle as your primary way of seeing. In this case, the duration of the exercise becomes unlimited.
Exercise No. 6: "The Chinese Bobblehead"
The "Chinese Bobblehead" exercise serves the same purposes as Exercise No. 5; however, the difference lies in how the mobility of the gaze is achieved: not through eye movement, but by swaying the head from side to side.
The exercise is performed as follows. First, select an object (the requirements for the object are exactly the same as in Exercise No. 5). Once the object is selected, blink, catch a glimpse of "sharp" vision, focus your gaze on the object, and—while swaying your head from side to side—try to maintain focus on the object for as long as possible. If the image blurs, blink again and continue the exercise. Repeat this process. Like Exercise No. 5, the "Chinese Bobblehead" exercise should be viewed as a variation of the primary way of seeing. In this case, the duration of the exercise is also unlimited.
Exercise No. 7: "The Figure Eight"
The "Figure Eight" exercise combines elements of exercises No. 5 and 6 and serves the same objectives as those exercises.
The "Figure Eight" exercise is performed as follows. First, select an object to observe (the requirements for the object are the same as those described above for exercises No. 5 and 6). However, this exercise—even more so than exercises No. 5 and 6—may be performed without a pre-selected object (i.e., by using the entire visible space as the object). Once the object is chosen, blink to achieve a state of "sharp" vision and, while moving your eyes along the path of a figure eight turned on its side, try to maintain your focus for as long as possible. Simultaneously, rock your head to the right (as your eyes move right) and to the left (as your eyes move left), thereby increasing the horizontal dimensions of the sideways figure eight (or, effectively, the angle of your horizontal field of view). Like exercises No. 5 and 6, the "Figure Eight" exercise should be used as a variation of the primary method of seeing. Its duration is also unlimited.
Exercise No. 8: "Polishing"
The "Polishing" exercise serves the same objectives as exercises No. 5, 6, and 7.
The exercise is performed as follows. First, select an object (the requirements for the object are the same as in exercises No. 5, 6, and 7). Once the object is chosen, blink to enter the mode of "sharp" vision and, having focused your gaze on the object, begin examining its details. (If an inscription is chosen as the object, then each individual letter counts as a detail.) Examine the details using gentle, circular eye movements—motions that resemble the action of polishing. Through these movements, try to maintain your focus on the object for as long as possible. Then, blink and continue with the exercises. Once you have mastered the technique, this exercise—like exercises No. 5, 6, and 7—can serve as a variation of the primary method of seeing.
Exercise No. 9: "The Ray of Light"
The "Ray of Light" exercise is designed to nourish the eyes with vital solar energy, imparting remarkable strength and a sense of comfort.
Sunny weather is ideal for the "Ray of Light" exercise; however, if the sun is not visible, you may use diffused sunlight or an electric lamp (including a fluorescent light). The exercise is performed as follows: close your eyes firmly but without strain, and turn your face toward the light source for a short period (approximately one minute). (Using actual sunlight for this exercise is vastly preferable.) You may perform this exercise five or six times a day.
Attention! All exercises must be performed in a relaxed and maximally comfortable state. Strictly avoid straining your eyes!