Swinging or Swaying

When I first learned of this concept, I would sway my head, sway my eyes, sway my body, all the time. I didn't understand how it helped, but I was faithful. After a few months, I was laying down doing a form of palming (warm rice bag on the eyes) and feeling very relaxed, when I noticed that my eyes were moving back and forth, on their own. Since then, I have found that if I focus on that feeling, my eyes relax and begin to sway without my conscious effort. I just found some cool articles by Dr. Bates explaining how this helped other people, as well.

http://www.central-fixation.com/better-eyesight-magazine/better-eyesight-1926-10.php

I just found this website. It's great for explaining the relaxation techniques. Check it out.

http://www.eteamnet.com/naturaleyehealing/batesmethod.html

Wearing a Lesser Prescription Eyeglasses

Well, for the last week, I've been wearing my lesser prescription glasses. I need to see, but I wanted my eyes to be able to relax. I also spent lots of time outside in the bright sunshine. I didn't do very many eye relaxation techniques, but I checked my eyes before I started, and then a few days later. I couldn't believe the difference. I was always under the impression that your eyes couldn't get better while wearing lesser prescription glasses, but my eyes were much better. I do think that you have to be constantly mentally trying to see better. You can't just wear them and not do anything else. Even looking and this monitor, I start to see the words become blurry, and I have to remember that I can see them clearly, and then they clear up again. You have to focus on one letter, and remember what it looks like clearly. If you try to do the whole screen, it just gets worse. I usually have to blink a few times, as well. For some reason, that helps me. So, I've ordered a stronger pair of glasses for driving, that are still below my full strength prescription. You can order them online from Zennioptical.com for only $13 or, more specifically, $8 with $5 shipping. I've got three pairs now. The strongest pair is for night driving. I just keep them in the car in case I need them. I still struggle keeping my eyes relaxed at night. Last night I looked at my eye chart, and I couldn't read the three bottom lines at all. They were completely blurry. Usually I can read them all. Boy, our eyes are complex.

Sunlight

Sunlight is one of the best light sources for eye relaxation. Most people are scared to look at it because it will supposedly permanently damage the eye. Well, that is up for debate. But, since most people won't even consider the idea, I have come up with a way to still achieve a great deal of relaxation from the sun, without looking at it. I, personally, have achieved the most relaxation from this method than any others. (Dr. Bates has written about sun treatment but it was ommitted from the online version of the book)

There are a couple of different ways to do it. Both involve looking towards the sun with the eyes closed. For people with extremely bad eyesight, this cannot be done without much discomfort. So, I like to hold my hands in front of my face to shield the light from coming in. Then, I open my fingers slowly, gradually letting the light in. Only open them as far as you can comfortably go. To make sure that the sun is shining directly on the eyelids, it may be necessary to open your eyes for a split second. It is important that the suns rays are shining directly on your eyelids. I like to lay out on the grass and relax while doing this. First, I look at something easy to remember, such as the siding of the house, and then, after I have relaxed for a few minutes or more (the more the better) I look back at the siding to ascertain my progress. I love that part. I am continually amazed at what I can see when I am done. And continually disappointed when I have to stop due to kids, clouds, or sunburn.

Another thing I have tried recently, is closing my eyes really tight and holding it as long as I can. This somehow relaxes my eyes and at first they go all bright inside, and then they go dark with a red glow slowly shining in. I slowly relax and let the light in. If I tilt my head back so that my pupils are in position near my lashes, I seem to be able to endure the light better, and can relax.

When your eyes are tense, when looking at light with your eyes closed, it appears shadowy. The more you relax, the brighter the light and less shadows. My sister says that when looking at the sun (with the eyes closed) it should appear white. I have only ever seen a bright orange color, so I'm assuming that I haven't achieved total relaxation yet.

Dr. Bates' Book

It is very beneficial to read Dr. Bates' Book. You have to believe in what you are doing to achieve results. The more you know about the whole process, and why it works, the more you will have faith in it. I strongly suggest reading the entire book before starting your own home training sessions. Don't give up on the confusing parts. Just keep reading.

Here is the link to one of his books. It is completely free to read online. You don't have to sign up for anything to read it.
http://www.i-see.org/perfect_sight/

Eye Chart

Using the Snellen Eye Chart is very essential to improving your eyesight. Read Dr. Bates chapter 24 http://www.i-see.org/perfect_sight/chap24.html on the best method for doing so. A few points to remember are...

1. Track your progress. You'd be surprised how quickly you forget what you could and couldn't see the day before.

2. It is okay, and good, to memorize the letters. You know what you can see. It's not like its a test or anything.

3. If you can't see today, what you could yesterday, don't dwell on it. That is normal. Try not to 'try' and see it. Just look away and try again another time when you are more relaxed. Remember to use a relaxation technique before looking at it. (palming, light, etc.)

When I first started using the eye chart, I had to stand four feet from it to even see the third line. So, that's where I stayed. It took me about two months to see the next two lines down. Now I can barely make out the seventh line.

I just recently started teaching my brother and neice about Dr. Bates' method. They were able to see two more lines after only a few minutes of palming. That is so not fair. But, more power to them.

Here are some links for eye charts.

This one you can buy for $1 or print for free. You print it on two pages and paste it together. That's where I got the one in the picture. If you can't get the link to work, you can click on my pictures and save them to your computer for printing.
http://www.hometrainingtools.com/articles/eye-chart-science-project.html

This one can be printed on one page.

http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/eye-chart.shtml

This one you use on your screen.

http://www.medindia.net/patients/eye_test/visual_accuracy.asp

This one you can buy for $10.

http://www.allegromedical.com/diagnostic-products-c521/snellen-eye-chart-p189809.html

My Favorite

This is my favorite relaxation technique. It never fails to leave me seeing much better. Problem is, I can't do it very often. You'll see why.

First, you have to make a rice bag. I just used a sock and filled it with about two cups of rice. It has to be a big sock, so it can drape comfortably over your eyes. Heat it about 45 sec. until the temperature is not too hot to be uncomfortable. Then, lay down in a nice cozy place and put it on your eyes. Just relax and think happy thoughts, maybe even play relaxing music. If you fall asleep, that is fine. When you wake up, heat it again, and repeat as long as you are allowed to nap. When you finally get up, you should notice a huge difference in your sight. Try looking at your eye chart and note the difference. I tried it today, again, and was thrilled with the results. Too bad my kids prevent me from doing this more often.

Tip - when removing the bag, keep your eyes closed to get used to the light, before opening them.

FYI - this sometimes relaxes one eye more than the other. Don't be alarmed. Your eyes will even out again within a few minutes of resuming regular activities.