Ординатура / Офтальмология / Английские материалы / Relearning To See_Quackenbush_2000

the functions of the visual system to the mind—was too far ahead of his contemporaries' theories on eyesight.

THE MACHINES OF SEEING

Vithoulkas, in A New Model for Health and

Disease, writes:

Since the eighteenth century a mechanistic way of thinking has prevailed in the sdentific method which has led to a mechanical approach to the whole problem of health and disease. The body, separated from the rest of the organism, was considered a machine 13

many other problems of sight. However, it is not necessary to understand the physical mechanisms involved with eyesight to improve eyesight. The student only needs to understand the key habits of normal vision, and to re-integrate them more each day until they are subconscious habits—once again.

Still, it is interesting to delve deeper into the possible relationships between Bates' research and modern right-brain/left-brain concepts, discussed next.

NORMAL VISION

And, unfortunately, still is.

As a result, we are given machines to wear when our machinery of sight malfunctions.

"Corrective" lenses are the left-brain mechanical solutions to excessive left-brain stress on the visual system And, as Bates pointed out, "corrective" lenses do not correct vision at all; they only "compensate" for the blurred vision.

And now we have sophisticated machines to cut and shape the corneas. Perhaps this development was only to be expected in this mechanically oriented society.

See Figure 19-3: Brain Characteristics.

Normal Distance Vision

Bates stated that when the normal eye is "at rest," the oblique muscles are relaxed and expanded, the eyeball is in a spherical shape, and the eye is adjusted to see clearly in the distance. The relaxed, expansive right brain is responsible for seeing clearly in the distance.

Bates discovered how nature intends us to use our body (blinking, breathing, head movement, etc.), and more importantly, our mind (centralization, interest, the illusion of oppositional movement, a relaxed and receptive attitude toward vision, etc.) to see the world.

Bates' research and experiments explain the causes of errors of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, strabismus, and

Normal Near Vision

Bates stated that when the two oblique muscles contract, the eyeball elongates and accommodates to see clearly up close. The

contractive, effort-oriented left brain is responsible for seeing clearly up close.

As stated before, the "effort" of the oblique muscles is minimal and automatic. There is no excessive strain involved during normal accommodation, just as there is no abnormal strain involved when the recti muscles move the eyes to see objects to the left, right, up, down, and to converge on near objects.

ABNORMAL VISION

Left-Brain Nearsights

Bates demonstrated that when a person strains to see objects in the distance, the oblique muscles contract tight and elongate the eyeball, producing nearsightedness. An elongated eyeball sees clearly up close. The problem in nearsightedness is that the obliques muscle remain chronically tight.

The right-brain/left-brain model allows us to explore more possibilities between the mind and Bates' discoveries.

Because a left-brain dominant individual is more "inner" oriented, she is more likely to strain while seeing distant objects than near objects. Nearsights have better vision habits when doing activities involving near objects. The nearsight tends to diffuse, strain, and become rigid when the attention is in the distance.

Our society places a great deal of attention on where the blur occurs for nearsights, while almost no attention is given to the fact that the near vision remains clear.

Myopes are nearsighted. It appears that when left-brain dominant people form incorrect, strained vision habits, they keep the clarity of their dominant personality—near orientation. Stated the opposite way, when nearsights strain their vision, they lose the clarity associated with their subdominant per- sonality—right-brain far vision.

Left-brain dominant individuals are relatively introverted and interested more in objects close to them. Myopes are usually content being alone, reading a book in thenlap, working with machinery, and are more interested in details. Generally, myopes have less interest in what is going on "out there," especially when "out there" involves other people.

Nearsights are "seemingly" placid and tend to do activities slowly compared to farsights. Nearsights tend to be very sensitive and sit extremely still. They are good at hiding any nervousness or fear they feel. They do not become bored with near objects anywhere as quickly as farsights.

Bates teacher Janet Goodrich presents a very interesting discussion of the personalities of nearsights, farsights, and astigmatics in her book Natural Vision Improvement.

When vision is strained, blur must result. In myopia, the fact that the clarity remains up close is more interesting than the fact that the distance vision becomes blurred.

Earlier, the concern was raised about possible adverse effects of left-handed, rightbrain dominant individuals unnaturally favoring their right hand. Now the question arises: What are the adverse effects on the personalities of many formerly nearsighted individuals who have become artificially farsighted as a result of corneal refractive surgeries, like RK and PRK? According to the

model presented here, left-brain dominant individuals who strain their vision should be myopic, not farsighted. This may be the first time in history left-brain dominant individuals who have incorrect, strained vision habits have become farsighted instead of "correctly" nearsighted. (Of course, physically the eyeball is still elongated.)

Even seeing clearly through compensating lenses is an aberration. The blur is nature's way of telling (warning?) us to return to relaxed, normal vision habits. Could so-called "progressive myopia" be at least partially caused by the mind's rejection of the clarity provided by compensating lenses?

Right-Brain Farsights

Bates demonstrated that when a person strains to see objects up close, the recti muscles contract tight and foreshorten the eyeball, producing farsightedness. The problem in farsightedness is the recti muscles remain chronically tight.

Because a right-brain dominant individual is more "outer" oriented, he is more likely to strain while seeing close objects than distant objects. Farsights have better vision habits while doing activities involving far objects than near objects. They tend to diffuse, strain, and become rigid when the attention is with near objects.

Hyperopes are /arsighted. It appears that when right-brain dominant people form incorrect, strained vision habits, they keep the clar-

ity of their dominant personality—far orien- tation (at least in beginning farsightedness). Stated the opposite way, when farsights strain their vision, they lose the clarity associated with their subdominant personality— left-brain near vision.

Right-brain dominant individuals are relatively extroverted and more interested in objects and especially people "out there" in the distance. Generally, farsights are less interested in what is going on "up close." Rightbrain farsights are more interested in the "large picture" than in details. Farsights like large movements and tend to do most activities quickly.

Generally, farsights are highly emotional, want to talk, and ask for advice. Farsights become bored relatively quickly with close objects.

Again, when vision is strained, blur results. In beginning farsightedness, it is more interesting that clarity remains in the distance than the fact that vision becomes blurred up close. (As farsightedness increases, the close vision is more blurred than the distance vision.)

H E M I S P H E R I C , N O T G E N E T I C ,

PREDISPOSITION

When a person is healthy and balanced, the left brain functions correctly to see clearly up close, and the right brain functions correctly to see clearly in the distance. Both brains are being used correctly, and the person has normal sight.

When a person becomes imbalanced and strains his visual system, neither brain is used correctly. Both brains are strained and the person acquires blur, (More on this below.)

Rather than nearsightedness and farsightedness being "genetically predisposed," as is

often erroneously stated, it appears that functional vision problems are "hemisphere-pre- disposed."

When we encounter a problem, we tend to rely on our strengths. When an individual strains her visual system, she maintains clarity at the distance associated with her dominant brain, and acquires blur at the distance associated with her subdominant brain.

Bates discovered that the key to normal sight is not to strain the visual system. It appears that hemisphere dominance is irrelevant as long as an individual does not interfere with the natural, normal, relaxed vision habits learned automatically and subconsciously early in life.

YOUNGER L E F T - B R A I N NEARSIGHTS, O L D E R R I G H T - B R A I N FARSIGHTS

Why, in literate societies, does nearsightedness often occur at a young age, and farsightedness often occur around "mid-life"? Some possible answers to this question are presented here.

Many Tibunger Nearsights

Of the left-brain dominant people and the right-brain dominant people, which of the two groups would be more likely to strain their sight earlier in life? Left-brain dominant people—especially in an excessively left-brain oriented society.

Why? The tendency of left-brain dominant individuals is to try too hard. If abnormal effort is applied to the vision system, e.g. straining to see the blackboard at school, vision will become blurred. Some left-brain dominant children try so hard to "succeed" in school, they become fatigued. It is very easy

to fall into incorrect vision habits, especially the staring habit, under these conditions.

It should be noted here that blur first formed by a person around age forty is not always farsightedness. A small number of left-brain dominant individuals strain their vision for the first time around age forty and become "appropriately" nearsighted, not farsighted.

Many Older Farsights

Many people in this society become farsighted later in life. Of the left-brain dominant people and the right-brain dominant people, which of the two groups would be more likely to strain their sight later in life?

Before answering this question, let's ask it in a better way: Of the left-brain dominant people and the right-brain dominant people, which of the two groups would be less likely to strain their sight earlier in life? Right-brain dominant individuals. Why? It appears that they are more likely to remain right-brain relaxed earlier in life and not strain their visual system as children and young adults.

A relatively small number of right-brain dominant individuals do strain their vision early in life and become "appropriately"/«r- sighted as children.

If vision is primarily a right-brain activity, why does a right-brain dominant person acquire any blur at all? Right-brain dominant people can, and often do, strain their visual system by forming incorrect vision habits— especially in a very left-brain oriented society.

Why do so many right-brain dominant people in our society form incorrect vision habits around age forty? There are many physical, emotional, and some say spiritual changes that occur around age forty. It appears that

if a right-brain dominant person—in this soci- ety—is going to strain his vision, it will most likely occur around age forty.

ASTIGMATISM—AN A M B I G U I T Y

OF BRAIN D O M I N A N C E ?

Astigmatism seems to occur when a left-brain dominant myope engages in primarily right-brain activities, and when a right-brain dominant farsight engages in primarily left-brain activities.

In astigmatism, usually an oblique and a rectus muscle are chronically tight. (In nearsightedness, both oblique muscles are chronically tight; in farsightedness the four recti muscles are chronically tight.) In astigmatism both near and far vision are blurred or distorted. The Ught rays entering the eye in one plane fall in front of the retina—as in near- sightedness^—while the light rays entering the eye in another plane fall in back of the retina—as in farsightedness. From one point of view, astigmatism is a combination of nearsightedness and farsightedness.

If a left-brain dominant person who has incorrect vision habits engages in primarily right-brain activities, according to the ideas just presented, she should be farsighted! Astigmatism may be the visual system's attempt to transition from tight oblique muscles (left-brain dominant myopia) to tight recti muscles (right-brain dominant farsightedness). The opposite could be the case for right-brain dominant farsights who acquire astigmatism—tight recti muscles may be

attempting to switch to tight oblique muscles. Practicing circular motions with the nosefeather is important for those with astigmatism.

LOG: My astigmatism started (on top of my long-standing and increasing nearsightedness) at about the same time I began to play the bass instrument while attending college for my chemistry degree.

A F U N N Y T H I N G H A P P E N E D O N M Y WAY T O M Y O T H E R PERSONALITY

Some researchers have studied the vision of individuals with multiple personalities. Esophoria has been observed when an adult switches back to his five-year-old personality. When he returns to his adult personality, the esophoria disappears.

Some people with multiple personalities keep a drawer full of different prescription glasses—using the power of glasses associated with their current personality!

Note that the changes in sight are solely a consequence of a shift in the mind.

Could it be that nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and strabismus are only physical manifestations or "reflections" of various forms of imbalance in the mind? Are all functional vision problems determined by the individual's current personality, brain dominance, and incorrect vision habits?

The personality of the person with blurred vision needs to return to a certain degree of balance to return to normal sight. This is one of the main reasons improving eyesight naturally is not an overnight process.

T H E PRINCIPLES OF N A T U R A L VISION EXPLAINE D BY R I G H T - B R A I N /

LEFT - BRAI N CONCEPTS

Though vision is primarily a right-brain function, when a person has normal sight, both brains are being used correctly to see.

The three principles of natural vision— relaxation, centralization, and movement— are the correct, natural ways of using the mind and body to see clearly.

Right-Brain Relaxation

Right-brain concepts teach us the principle of relaxation. Natural vision is a receptive, automatic, subconscious, and most importantly, relaxed activity. Bates proved relaxation is the key to normal sight. When effort or strain is appUed to the visual system, sight lowers

Straining to see is an interference with the right brain's natural, relaxed way of seeing.

Because vision is suggestible, the beliefs we carry can have a major impact on our sight. Many people in this society are told to expect the blur experienced by the majority. This simply reinforces, perpetuates, and increases the imbalances already present.

When a person with normal sight is told by an authority he will lose his clarity (for example, "due to the aging process"), this person may stop trusting his normal, clear vision. If worry about and distrust of his sight result in straining to see, blur will result. The prediction becomes true—a self-fulfilling prophecy. If strong corrective lenses are worn, the vision is strained even further. It is also predicted that vision will get worse, and it usually does

The right-brain principle of relaxation is especially important for the left-brain nearsights, because their tendency is to try too hard.

In our "no pain, no gain, you didn't try hard enough" society, the majority of people have applied effort to the non-effort activity of natural vision. As a consequence, the majority of people in this society have blur.

The right brain teaches us to trust our vision, especially the unclear peripheral vision. People with blur do not trust their peripheral vision to pick up moving objects automatically and quickly. People with blur diffuse, "trying" to see everything clearly at once. As explained earlier, it is impossible to see the peripheral vision clearly. Diffusion is a strain. The eye muscles contract tight, and blurred vision or strabismus is created.

In terms of the field of vision, the right brain is responsible for seeing "the whole pic- ture"—both the peripheral and the central vision. Of course it is correct to see the entire picture at one time—but not clearly.

Left-Brain Centralization

Left-brain concepts teach us the natural vision principle of centralization. The left brain "zeros in" to the center of the large picture to pick up sharp details and the best color. As we have learned, only the center of the visual field is clear and most colorful.

Parents often tell their children, "Do one thing at a time." This is excellent advice.

Diffusion is an interference with the left brain's natural, centralized way of seeing.

The left-brain principle of centralization is especially important for right-brain farsights, because their tendency is to avoid details.

Both Brains Connected by Movement

The natural vision principle of movement connects the right-brain principle of relaxation

to the left-brain principle of centralization.

See Figure 79-5; "Vision."

Rigidity interferes with the dynamic exchange of energy between the two brains.

Rigidity is an interference with both brains' continual movement through 3-D space: near and far, left and right, and up and down.

Two Perspectives on Oppositional Movement

While we are moving, the left brain regards stationary objects as stationary. But the right brain regards stationary objects as moving in the opposite direction of our movement. Which brain is correct? Both.

The left brain is the absolute, stable, grounding brain. "Stationary objects do not move—by definition!''The right brain is the relative, flexible, floating brain. "Stationary objects seem to move in the opposite direction of my movement."

Both mental attitudes are correct and necessary for normal sight. A well-constructed bridge is both stable and flexible. We want both stability and flexibility. We are meant to have a balance.

Relaxation = Centralization = Movement

The universal principles of relaxation, centralization, and movement are intimately related to, and support, each other. Relaxation, movement, and centralization create and maintain clarity. Strain, rigidity, and diffusion create and maintain blur.

I find the rightand left-brain perspectives on the principles of natural vision to be one of the most exciting parts of teaching students how to improve their vision.

T H E C R O S S - C R A W L

See Figure 19-6: The Cross-Crawl.

When a baby first learns to crawl, she moves the right arm forward with the right leg, and then the left arm forward with the left leg. This homolateral form of crawling requires the use of only one brain at a time. Later, the baby learns to move the right arm forward with the left leg, and then the left arm forward with the right leg. This advanced, balanced form of crawling requires the integrated use of both brains.

Generally, the right brain controls the left side of the body, and the left brain controls the right side of the body. The cross-crawl

emphasizes movement with the right side of the body together with movement of the left side of the body. Both brains are used in an integrative way. The cross-crawl is an excellent, simple activity for balancing (to a certain degree) the right and left brains.

* H O W T O C R O S S - C R A W L :

While lifting the left knee, simply reach over and touch it with the right hand. Then, while lifting the right knee, reach over and touch it with the left hand. While cross-crawling, remember to sketch, breathe, and blink.

The principles within the cross-crawl can be integrated into many daily activities. For example, when walking you can touch the right forefinger and thumb together as the left foot moves forward. Then touch the left forefinger and thumb together as the right foot moves forward. One jogger stated he could jog much farther, and with less discomfort, by including this variation of the cross-crawl.

The cross-crawl can also be performed during closed-eyeUds sunning.

For a super balancing activity, move your nose-feather in the shape of the infinity sign (up through the middle, down on the outsides) while doing the cross-crawl. This powerful activity may require some practice before the student can do it comfortably.

H A B I T S , N O T EXERCISE S

The emphasis of this book is on natural vision habits. Unfortunately, many people erroneously perceive the Bates method to be a series of "eye exercises."

There are three main reasons why the Bates method is not about eye exercises:

1.The underlying philosophy of eye exercises is to strengthen supposedly weak eye muscles. The eye muscles are not weak; they are chronically tense, squeezing the eyeball out of shape and/or out of alignment. Relaxation, not work, is needed to improve sight.

2.The eyes and eye muscles are not the main issue. Babies and animals do not even know they have eyes, yet they see clearly. It is how we use our entire mind and body that detenriines how well we see. At least 95% of the processes involved in seeing occur in the mind. The eyes and eye muscles respond to messages from the brain. Mental strain is the cause of blurred vision. Bates discovered relaxation of the rnind is the single most important factor in natural sight.

3.The process of improving sight naturally is not limited to twenty minutes per day of exercises. Shortly before he died in 1931, Bates concisely stated that the natural, correct vision "habits" are to be used "all day long." If students do eye exercises for twenty minutes a day, and then revert to incorrect habits the remainder of the day, they will not succeed. Integration of the habits and principles of seeing as a "renewed visual lifestyle" is the key.

Many people, including many eye doctors, correctly state, "Eye exercises don't work" or "They only provide temporary benefit." I agree. The "eye exercise" presentation of the Bates method is an inappropriate left-brain presentation of Bates' work.

The Bates method is not about "eye exercises. " It is about relearning normal vision habits permanently. It is important that

natural vision students understand this distinction.

It should be acknowledged here that some eye exercise approaches to eyesight improvement do contain some correct principles and/or habits of natural vision. To the degree these correct habits and principles of natural vision are relearned while doing eye exercises, there can be some benefit. But the benefit is usually temporary because most students do not integrate all of the habits and principles permanently.

It is helpful to note that blurred vision is not caused by a person failing to do eye exercises. Therefore, eye exercises are not the solution to blurred vision. People and animals with normal sight do not do eye exercises. They have normal, relaxed vision habits.

Oftentimes I like to use the heart as an analogy to the eyes. The heart is a large muscle, but a person does not "try" to pump their blood with conscious effort. In fact, if you attempted to do so, you could interfere with the normal functioning of your heart. If a person has a healthy diet, exercises, reduces stress, and has a balanced lifestyle, the heart takes care of itself—automatically. The same is true with sight. The correct approach to improving sight is indirect—another rightbrain characteristic.

Bates taught swings and shifting activities to demonstrate to students correct vision habits. They are not exercises.

Sketching, breathing, and blinking are the normal, natural vision habits we are meant to have our entire lifetime. Once the vision student understands this and begins to integrate conect vision habits, he is well on the way to success.

Bates also taught palming and sunning. These activities are not exercises. They are

optional self-healing activities which can accelerate the release of strain put on the visual system by incorrect vision habits— habits which many people have had for many years.

TOM'S PERSONAL LOG: When I first became interested in improving my vision, I read many books on the Bates method. I thought this program was a series of eye exercises. (Some books even refer to them as drills!) I did not perceive any improvement of my sight by doing eye exercises.

I did not understand that relearning vision habits—all day long—was the key to improving my vision. I was fortunate enough to find an excellent vision teacher who taught me correct vision habits. Only then did my vision begin to improve.

One reason Bates' work is perceived as eye exercises is because Bates' most concise summaries of natural vision habits were not presented in his 1920 book PerfectSightWithout Glasses. They appeared later—in his monthly Better Eyesight magazines. The key vision habits were concisely summarized in the September 1927 issue of Better Eyesight magazine. (This summary was presented earlier, at the end of Chapter 15, "The Three HabitsSketch, Breathe, and Blink.") My discovery of this summary in 1986 created an important shift in my understanding and teaching of natural vision.

Additionally, Bates' 1920 book was revised after his death in 1931. Most of the original illustrations, along with a significant amount of his writings, were removed.

Will the reader of this book succeed in improving his sight? This partly depends on how well he understands the habits and prin-

ciples described herein, and how well he practices and re-integrates them.

A teacher of natural vision is especially valuable in helping the student relearn the spirit of natural seeing. When it comes to relearning the subtle mental aspects of natural vision, books can be limiting. If a person chooses to learn to play the piano, he may obtain many books on the topic. Most likely he will also seek instructions from an experienced piano teacher.

The best approach I have found is to receive instructions from an experienced and knowledgeable Natural Vision teacher and to read several books on this topic. (There is a large Bibliography of vision books in Appendix A.)

O T H E R A S P E C T S O F N A T U R A L V I S I O N I M P R O V E M E N T

FORGETTING A B O U T YOUR E Y E S — NATURALLY

Not only are straining with effort and eye exercises not needed to improve sight, but students should forget their eyes exist. (Of course if there is a serious problem with the eyes, the student should consult with an eye doctor.) People with normal vision almost never think about their eyes.

What we see is conscious, but how we see is meant to be subconscious This is why the imaginary nose-helper is attached to the nose and not the eyes—to encourage the student not to strain with their eyes.

As Bates pointed out, there is nothing to do to see clearly. Clarity is automatic, natural, subconscious, casual, and effortless.

The real issue in improving vision is what not to do. Blur is caused by interfering with normal, natural vision habits. The incorrect

vision habits we have formed need to be unlearned. Remove the interferences, and improvement is automatic. This idea is difficult for many people in this society to grasp, because we often think that effort is required to obtain a goal.

If we eat harmful food, we become ill. Simply return to normal (not average!) food, and again we become healthy. There is nothing to do. There is only the harmful food to eliminate It can be valuable to reflect on the fact that the picture we are moving through is not "out there." Only atoms and light rays emanating from those atoms are "out there." The picture we see is created in the mind from the light rays striking the light receptors in the retina. It is primarily our relationship to this internal picture that determines how, and how well, we see. One of my students told me that some photographers who specialize in black and white or gray photographs begin to see the world in shades of gray instead of color. He has experienced this in his work with

photography.

If we are living under mental strain, the mental picture will likely be blurred. If we live in a balanced, relaxed manner, the mental picture will likely be clear. Vision is primarily an internal process.

T H E Q U A L I T I E S OF N A T U R A L VISION

As discussed earlier, there are many right-brain qualities of vision that are re-acti- vated when a student relearns natural vision habits. Some of these qualities include full 3-D vision, color variations, texture awareness, and contrast. The popular solution to vision problems—compensating lensesbrings back artificial acuity. Natural vision involves much more than just acuity.