MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information
Touch & Movement Therapy
THE BATES METHOD



Devised at the beginning of the 20th century by Dr. William H. Bates, an American ophthalmologist, the Bates method aims to enhance eyesight without the aid of lenses or surgery. Dr. Bates argued that perfect vision was the product of perfectly relaxed eyes, unconsciously controlled, and that misuse of the eyes accounted for many vision defects. He believed that eyes could be re-educated using a series of simple exercises. Practitioners of the Bates method, who can be found in countries around the world, claim that these exercises benefit people of all ages, however good or poor their eyesight.

---

MAIN USES OF THE BATES METHOD

All conditions for which glasses & contact lenses are prescribed, including nearsightedness and farsightedness, squints & astigmatism. Coordination problems. Learning difficulties.

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Eye Disorders

---

HISTORY

The Bates method of "vision education" was developed early in the 20th century by the New York ophthalmologist Dr. William H. Bates. He believed that bad habits and tension affecting the eye muscles and optic nerves accounted for many vision defects, which could be corrected with eye exercises. Although initially dismissed by conventional practitioners, Dr. Bates's theories attracted followers in the US, Europe, and India who continued his work after his death in 1931. Among these were Margaret Darst Corbett, the American ophthalmologist, and the British writer Aldous Huxley, who claimed amazing results. Today, practitioners of various complementary therapies use the Bates method, and it is best established in the US, UK, and India.

---

CONSULTING A PRACTITIONER

The practitioner assesses your eyesight and may suggest 6-10 weekly sessions. You are taught simple eye exercises, to be practiced daily. Dr. Bates argued that bad habits, such as staring, "switch off" the eyes' ability constantly to adjust and focus on an image (a process called "central fixation"). Exercises, he believed, could re-educate the eye and help achieve "optimum" central fixation. He taught patients to relax the optic nerve and eye muscles, and use the powers of memory and imagination to improve coordination between the eyes and the brain.

Advice on breathing, relaxation, diet, and exercise may also be given, since Dr. Bates claimed that lifestyle factors could affect vision capability. Artificial light and VDT screens, which encourage staring, are thought to worsen eyesight.

COMMON EYE PROBLEMS

An object that is seen in perfect focus is refracted by the lens on the center of the retina, the fovea centralis, where images are at their most precise. The eye makes constant tiny adjustments to keep the fovea trained on an image (called "central fixation"). If the eyeball is too short or too long, the image will be out of focus because it falls not on the retina, but behind it or in front of it.

BATES EYE EXERCISES

SWINGING: To relax the eyes and help mobilize them, Dr. Bates recommended swaying gently from side to side with your eyes focused on a distant point. Do this 100 times daily, blinking at the left and the right as you sway. Blinking cleans and lubricates the eyes, and discourages staring, which strains the eyes.

SPLASHING: To stimulate circulation, splash your closed eyes with warm, then cold, water 20 times each morning. Repeat at night, but using cold water first.

PALMING: Covering your eyes with cupped palms relaxes them, shutting out light without pressing on the eyes. Do not daydream. Listen to music or think of pleasant images while palming for 10 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.

FOCUSING: To improve focusing, hole one pencil at arm's length and one 6 inches (15 cm) in front of you. Focus on one, blink, then focus on the other. Focus 10 to 12 times on one pencil, then on the other. The pencil on which you are not focusing will appear double.

---

EVIDENCE & RESEARCH

Most trials were carried out in the early 20th century by Dr. Bates. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the method can help to improve eyesight, but there have been no recent clinical trials.

---

CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL OPINION

Conventional medical practitioners recognize that vision involves the use of eye muscles and instinctive visual skills, and acknowledge that eye exercises may sometimes improve sight. However, since the Bates method requires a certain amount of perseverance, and improvement may not be dramatic, it is not seen as a substitute for lenses or surgery.

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Eye Disorders Index

---

PRECAUTIONS

Consult a teacher if you have glaucoma or cataracts, and an ophthalmologist if your eyesight is fading.

Do not perform eye exercises while wearing glasses or contact lenses.

---

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH LINKS

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health: Touch & Movement Therapies Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Overview

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Holistic Health Links Page 1

MoonDragon's Holistic Health Links Page 2



RELATED LINKS

MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy: Preparing Produce for Juicing

MoonDragon's Nutritional Recipe Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

MoonDragon's Nutritional Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Nutritional Analysis Index

MoonDragon's Nutritional Diet Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index



HERBS, OILS, & SUPPLIES

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Manufacturers & Distributors

See all our merchant banners below for products, remedies and supplements recommended on this web site.

HELPFUL PRODUCTS & FURTHER EDUCATION Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 2nd Edition Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements -- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch - 4th Edition Prescription for Herbal Healing: The A-To-Z Reference To Common Disorders -- by Phyllis A. Balch The Complete Guide to Natural Healing This is only a small sample of educational materials and products available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item. If you see a suggested Amazon product "not there" as indicated by an orange box with the Amazon logo, this only means the specific product link has been changed by Amazon.com. Use the "click here" icon on the orange box and it will bring you to Amazon.com and you can do a search for a specific product using keywords and a new list of available products and prices will show. Their product and resource links are constantly changing and being upgraded. Many times there are more than one link to a specific product. Prices will vary between product distributors so it pays to shop around and do price comparisons. Educational materials and health products are available through Amazon.com. Use the search box provided below to search for a particular item.

For a full list of available products from Mountain Rose Herbs, click on banner below:
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs A Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs B Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs C Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs D Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs E Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs F Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs G Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs H Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs I Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs J Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs K Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs L	Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs M Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs N Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs O Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs P Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs R Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs S Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs T Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs U Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs V Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs W Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herbs Y

Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils

Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits

Mountain Rose Herbs.com: Order Online
Accessories & Tools Aroma Sprays & Flower Waters Body & Bath Bulk Herbs Bulk Ingredients Bulk Oils Butters Capsules Clays Essential Oils	Facial Care Hair Care Herbal Extracts Herbal Oils Herbal Salves & Balms Herbal Teas Herbs For Pets Incense, Resins & Candles Massage Oils Medicinal Herb Seeds Tea Brewing Supplies

---

MoonDragon's Nutrition Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Nutrition Basics Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness: Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Nutrition Therapy Index

MoonDragon's Alternative Health Information Index

MoonDragon's Aromatherapy Information Index

MoonDragon's Health & Wellness Index

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Subject Order

MoonDragon's ObGyn Womens Health Information Index by Alphabetical Order

MoonDragon's Main Indexlisting

MoonDragon's Home Page