What Is The Bates Method? The Vision Improvement Principles of Dr Bates.
What exactly is the Bates method for vision improvement and what kinds of principles and techniques does it consist of? The Bates method is a natural vision correction alternative to glasses introduced by Dr William Horatio Bates, MD. Dr. Bates taught that the main causes of eye conditions were associated with the continual strain imposed on the eye muscles as a result of habitual close up work.
He emphasized that the key to improving eyesight could be achieved by eliminating the causes and the sources of this eye strain. This was accomplished with the regular practice of techniques that teach the eyes to relax. He also taught that a continued reliance on glasses would lead to a scenario of stronger prescriptions and weaker eyes.
Here are some of the basic principles and concepts that Dr. Bates taught:
Basic Eye Relaxation Techniques: The approach of the Bates method included a variety of natural techniques. These involved healing the eyes through relaxation exercises that were not only physical, but mental, to remove eye strain; one of the main causes of eyesight problems. Examples of some of these techniques included sunning, palming, blinking, visualization exercises and simple eye movements to name a few. In his career as an eye doctor, private practitioner and lecturer of Ophthalmology, Dr. Bates achieved success with the practice of these techniques.
The Principle behind Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques were the central focus of Dr. Bates’ treatment methods for vision correction. The techniques involved solving vision problems by eliminating mental stress sources associated with bad eyesight. Additionally, some vision and eye relaxation exercises were utilized to relieve stress, strain and tension in the visual system.
Eliminate Poor Eyesight by Replacing Bad Visual Habits with Good Ones: Dr Bates taught that symptoms associated with poor eyesight were related to bad visual habits. These made the eyes prone to stress and tension in the visual system. Such examples of poor visual habits included exposing the eyes to excessive continual close up work like reading and studying without incorporating breaks into your routine. The Bates method discussed the importance of replacing bad visual habits with eye relaxation techniques that remove stress and strain from the eye muscles.
The Vision exercise, Bates method taught the idea that much in the same way that an injured leg could be healed through effective physical therapy, so could the eyes as well in terms of its natural ability to heal from vision disorders. Therefore, vision can be restored to normal once again though effective forms of eye relaxation and vision exercise techniques, without having to rely on glasses as a crutch.
The Bates Method is a method of vision improvement that is described as a natural alternative to glasses, contact lens and laser surgery. Dr. Bates taught a series of principles related to the healing of the eyes and restoring it to its natural function to achieve better eyesight and eye health. This was accomplished by paying attention to the central focus of the program; the application of relaxation techniques to relieve stress, strain and tension from the mind, body and eye muscles to restore better eyesight without glasses. Ultimately, this natural approach in Dr. Bates’ career yielded successful results with his patients.