I've had better than 20/20 vision my whole life up until about last fall. My left eye is going really bad, and I need it for shooting. I know someone who had a problem like this and wore contacts for a while and it fixed itself on its own. Is there anything I can do (besides laser surgery)?
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Answer:
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Answer:
One of the most well-known ophthalmologists who became fascinated with eye health was a man named William Bates.
He began his internship at Columbia hospital, and because he was directly involved in determining what caused eye problems in his patients, he studied the inner-workings of the eye thoroughly.
He concluded that the "external muscles of the eye" determined good eyesight and not, as conventional wisdom suggested, the lens itself.
His conclusion, after years of patient study, was that wearing eyeglasses did absolutely nothing to improve conditions under which one is better able to see, but that these lenses created additional stress on the eye muscles.
He contended that eyeglasses and contact lenses caused more harm than good and did not improve vision at all. Thus, while eyeglasses are utilized to "correct light that is entering the eye," the problem isn't the light, but the eye.
Bates had a belief system that insisted eye problems composed two main categories: Stress and mental strain.
He believed that when one is under stress, the muscle in the eye is greatly affected, and that a calm state of mind can reduce the strain that is caused by the stress. Thus, he utilized a method wherein one can relax the muscle in the eye via exercise and begin to retrain one's eyes to focus naturally and without strain.
His notion is one that makes sense. Everyone has the ability to see things clearly and should do so in a relaxed state of mind. Looking at any object in a relaxed state alleviates any strain caused to the eyes, and it is the natural way in which the eyes are meant to operate. Without the stress of focusing on things we cannot see results in the ability to see.
Thus, the Bates Method of Seeing encompassed four main exercises that are used in combination with a relaxed mental state:
* Palming -- While many ophthalmologists are not well-versed in this method, it is nonetheless important for eye relaxation. Simply sit at a table with the head resting on the hands, ensuring the fingers are set against the forehead. The eyes are then covered wherein no light can penetrate. In addition, the hands do not touch the eyes at all. This state of relaxing the eyes for a few minutes has been quite effective in improving vision.
* Sunning - Studies have shown that this method is necessary and valuable to the eyes. Go out on a sunny day, close your eyes and point your head up to the sun. Gently sway back and forth as the sun's light bathes the eyes.
* Swinging - As you hold your index finger in front of your eyes, rock back and forth. Bates determined that this helps to incorporate both peripheral vision and focus at the same time.
* Blinking - This well-known exercise combined with breathing exercise allows for the relaxation and massaging of the eyes while lubricating them at the same time, and brings a balance within.
Tips to Decrease Risk of Developing Eye Conditions
* Quit smoking.
* Incorporate eye exercises into your daily routine.
* Avoid high blood pressure.
* Avoid direct sunlight (tanning at the beach, etc.).
* Rest the eyes frequently.
* Do not stare at any one object for long periods of time.
* Take breaks from focusing on a specific task.
* Look away from the computer every hour.
* Get out and talk a walk for 20 minutes.
* Watch your sugar intake.
* Maintain a healthy diet and exercise program.
* Avoid stress.
Computer Work
In this age of technology, we all become victims to overwork and stress on both our eyes and bodies. In order to alleviate the pronounced stress to our eyes when working at home or at the office, here are some tips to help decrease the strain on our eyes.
* If you are a work-at-home mom or dad, as well as students, arrange your home office so that your computer is placed near a window. When you sit at the computer, ensure that you are at least an arm's length away from the monitor. While working on projects that may take several hours, it is recommended that you stop every 20 minutes and look away from the computer, focusing your attention on the tree outside, or watching passers-by. If you work in an office that doesn't have a window, then find an object across the room and focus on it.
* Posture, while sitting at the computer, is just as important. Remember, the monitor should be placed on the computer desk at least 24 inches away from your eyes. Utilize good lighting as well. While you may not be able to control the lights used in the workplace, experts recommend you work under dimmed lighting at home. Add a desk lamp for work which entails close scrutiny.
* Just as glare can affect the eyes, so too computer glare can also harm the eyes. Purchase an anti-glare screen to place over your monitor. Speaking of glare, wear sunglasses that provide 100% protection against UV rays.
He began his internship at Columbia hospital, and because he was directly involved in determining what caused eye problems in his patients, he studied the inner-workings of the eye thoroughly.
He concluded that the "external muscles of the eye" determined good eyesight and not, as conventional wisdom suggested, the lens itself.
His conclusion, after years of patient study, was that wearing eyeglasses did absolutely nothing to improve conditions under which one is better able to see, but that these lenses created additional stress on the eye muscles.
He contended that eyeglasses and contact lenses caused more harm than good and did not improve vision at all. Thus, while eyeglasses are utilized to "correct light that is entering the eye," the problem isn't the light, but the eye.
Bates had a belief system that insisted eye problems composed two main categories: Stress and mental strain.
He believed that when one is under stress, the muscle in the eye is greatly affected, and that a calm state of mind can reduce the strain that is caused by the stress. Thus, he utilized a method wherein one can relax the muscle in the eye via exercise and begin to retrain one's eyes to focus naturally and without strain.
His notion is one that makes sense. Everyone has the ability to see things clearly and should do so in a relaxed state of mind. Looking at any object in a relaxed state alleviates any strain caused to the eyes, and it is the natural way in which the eyes are meant to operate. Without the stress of focusing on things we cannot see results in the ability to see.
Thus, the Bates Method of Seeing encompassed four main exercises that are used in combination with a relaxed mental state:
* Palming -- While many ophthalmologists are not well-versed in this method, it is nonetheless important for eye relaxation. Simply sit at a table with the head resting on the hands, ensuring the fingers are set against the forehead. The eyes are then covered wherein no light can penetrate. In addition, the hands do not touch the eyes at all. This state of relaxing the eyes for a few minutes has been quite effective in improving vision.
* Sunning - Studies have shown that this method is necessary and valuable to the eyes. Go out on a sunny day, close your eyes and point your head up to the sun. Gently sway back and forth as the sun's light bathes the eyes.
* Swinging - As you hold your index finger in front of your eyes, rock back and forth. Bates determined that this helps to incorporate both peripheral vision and focus at the same time.
* Blinking - This well-known exercise combined with breathing exercise allows for the relaxation and massaging of the eyes while lubricating them at the same time, and brings a balance within.
Tips to Decrease Risk of Developing Eye Conditions
* Quit smoking.
* Incorporate eye exercises into your daily routine.
* Avoid high blood pressure.
* Avoid direct sunlight (tanning at the beach, etc.).
* Rest the eyes frequently.
* Do not stare at any one object for long periods of time.
* Take breaks from focusing on a specific task.
* Look away from the computer every hour.
* Get out and talk a walk for 20 minutes.
* Watch your sugar intake.
* Maintain a healthy diet and exercise program.
* Avoid stress.
Computer Work
In this age of technology, we all become victims to overwork and stress on both our eyes and bodies. In order to alleviate the pronounced stress to our eyes when working at home or at the office, here are some tips to help decrease the strain on our eyes.
* If you are a work-at-home mom or dad, as well as students, arrange your home office so that your computer is placed near a window. When you sit at the computer, ensure that you are at least an arm's length away from the monitor. While working on projects that may take several hours, it is recommended that you stop every 20 minutes and look away from the computer, focusing your attention on the tree outside, or watching passers-by. If you work in an office that doesn't have a window, then find an object across the room and focus on it.
* Posture, while sitting at the computer, is just as important. Remember, the monitor should be placed on the computer desk at least 24 inches away from your eyes. Utilize good lighting as well. While you may not be able to control the lights used in the workplace, experts recommend you work under dimmed lighting at home. Add a desk lamp for work which entails close scrutiny.
* Just as glare can affect the eyes, so too computer glare can also harm the eyes. Purchase an anti-glare screen to place over your monitor. Speaking of glare, wear sunglasses that provide 100% protection against UV rays.
