Problems with eyesight can be treated in different ways. Orthodox medicine nearly always corrects defective sight with glasses or contact lenses, though some new surgical techniques with lasers are now being used to correct the eyes themselves. The Bates Method is a complementary technique, which re-educates the eyesight through exercises. This is generally done through individual sessions with a Bates teacher. Below are some techniques a teacher would use to help common eye problems such as shortsightedness, longsightedness, presbyopia (old-age sight), and astigmatism.
Daily relaxation: palming. Sit at a chair with your elbows on a table or desk. Cover the eyes with the palms of your hands for at least 10 minutes daily. It may be helpful to listen to the radio while doing this, to allow you to forget about your eyes and relax. Get into the habit of only using your glasses when you really need them. Leave them off as often as possible, but do not strain your eyes. However, always put the glasses on when driving or using machinery or tools. Make a point of looking at things which interest you and which give you pleasure (flowers, children, water, etc.). The aim of this exercise is to amplify your appreciation of sight. Become aware of your whole range of vision. Sports, particularly racquet games, help with this. Head swing: hold your forefinger in front of your eyes, about 6-10 inches from your face, and move it from the left to the right shoulder following it with your eyes; your neck should be loose and the head should follow the finger around. Focus on the finger, but be aware of the moving background behind. Do the same exercise, but now focus entirely on what is behind the finger. This generally gives awareness of a doubled finger in front of the background. Follow an imaginary finger, letting your eyes rest as far in your line of vision as they want to.
These exercises can be carried out frequently for up to half a minute each.
If You Have Difficulty Reading
Try reading the different print sizes in a newspaper. First start with the large headlines, then move on to the smaller bold print and finally the ordinary text. Use a postcard or ruler to separate the lines. Read a paragraph, then visualize its contents (the place, the people, the events), then read the next paragraph. Scan a paragraph looking for words you recognize. Then scan it again looking for words with tails (p, q, y). Piecing the paragraph together in a jigsaw fashion may make reading easier.
For Tired Eyes
Ensure you are getting adequate sleep. Lighting which is too bright or too dim can cause eye strain. Fluorescent lighting is often harsh on the eyes. Replace any flickering lights. If working at a visual display unit, take up to 5 minute break every hour. Try to glance up and across the room or look out of the window at regular intervals to change your range of focus.
Homeopathy
Some remedies such as Euphrasia or Ruta graveolens may be useful - consult a practitioner.
Massage
Never massage the eyes, but you can very gently soothe the areas above and below the eyes..
To Soothe Aching Eyes
Make a pot of tea with two tea bags. Leave until it is cold, then place a tea bag on each eyelid, lie back and relax. A piece of freshly cut cucumber over the eyes has a similar soothing and refreshing effect.
Acupressure
Place your thumbs on the upper part of the eye socket near the bridge of the nose. Press upwards and breathe deeply for 1 minute. Place your index finger in the centre of your cheeks, below the lower ridge of your eyes. Place your middle fingers directly underneath, below the cheekbone. Apply light pressure, close the eyes and breathe deeply for 1 minute.
Orthodox
It is advisable to have a checkup with an optician or ophthalmologist to exclude serious eye conditions, such as cataracts or glaucoma. The assessment will also identify the need for glasses or contact lenses.
