5 Ways Corrective Lenses Break Down your Eyesight and How to Improve your Vision Naturally
by Marco Torres
Optometrists just like much of the medical
community are fixated on short-term solutions which don't address the root
cause of problems. Few optometrists will admit and the greatest majority are
unaware that glasses and contacts are almost guaranteed to destroy your
eyesight over time.Unfortunately, they're not trained on natural and
preventative solutions that improve vision in the long-term because they simply
do not understand the way the eye works. Contrary to popular belief, your
vision doesn't have to decline over time. With regular exercise of the muscles
that control your eye movements and visual acuity, you can reduce eyestrain and
maintain or even improve your vision without any destructive correctional
conventions such as laser surgery, glasses or contact lenses.
Practically
everyone these days suffers from some form of refractive error. Yet we are told
that for these ills, which are not only so inconvenient, but often so
distressing and dangerous, there is not only no cure, and no palliatives except
those optic crutches known as eyeglasses or contacts, but, under modern
conditions of life, practically no prevention.
Few
if any optometrists even understand the role of nutrition of even breast milk
in eye development. Breast-fed children are significantly more likely to do
well in measures of stereoscopic vision than are those who received formula
during in infancy.
With
one accord ophthalmologists tell us that the visual organ of man was never
intended for the uses to which it is now put. Eons before there were any
schools or printing presses, electric lights or moving pictures, its evolution
was complete. In those days it served the needs of the human animal perfectly.
Man was a hunter, a herdsman, a farmer, a fighter. He needed, we are told, mainly
distant vision; and since the eye at rest is adjusted for distant vision, sight
is supposed to have been ordinarily as passive as the perception of sound,
requiring no muscular action whatever. Near vision, it is assumed, was the
exception, necessitating a muscular adjustment of such short duration that it
was accomplished without placing any appreciable burden upon the mechanism of
accommodation.
While
primitive man appears to have suffered little from defects of vision, it is
safe to say that of persons over twenty-one living under civilized conditions
nine out of every ten have imperfect sight, and as the age increases the
proportion increases, until at forty it is almost impossible to find a person
free from visual defects. Voluminous statistics are available to prove these
assertions.
Roughly
2.5 billion people have perfect 20/20 vision. For the other two-thirds, more
than 80% of vision problems worldwide are preventable and even curable. In
developed nations, more than 90% of aging related deterioration of vision
before the age of 50 is due to diet and the daily use of corrective lenses.
Meaning the more people lack nutrition and the more frequent the use of glasses
or contact lenses, the worse vision will become impaired.
5 WAYS CORRECTIVE LENSES
BREAK DOWN YOUR EYESIGHT
1. Corrective Lenses Don't Correct, They Distort
The
fact that glasses or contact lenses cannot improve sight to normal can be very
simply demonstrated by looking at any color through a strong convex or concave
glass. It will be noted that the color is always less intense than when seen
with the naked eye; and since the perception of form depends upon the
perception of color, it follows that both color and form must be less
distinctly seen with glasses than without them. Even plane glass lowers the
vision both for color and form, as everyone knows who has ever looked out of a
window. Women who wear glasses for minor defects of vision often observe that
they are made more or less color-blind by them, and in a shop one may note that
they remove them when they want to match samples. If the sight is seriously
defective, the color may be seen better with glasses than without them.
2. Corrective Lenses Injure The Eye
That
glasses or contact lenses must injure the eye is evident through the principal
of refraction. One cannot see through them unless one produces the degree of
refractive error which they are designed to correct. But refractive errors, in
the eye which is left to itself, are never constant. If one secures good vision
by the aid of concave, or convex, or astigmatic lenses, therefore, it means
that one is maintaining constantly a degree of refractive error which otherwise
would not be maintained constantly. It is only to be expected that this should
make the condition worse, and it is a matter of common experience that it does.
After people once begin to wear glasses their strength, in most cases, has to
be steadily increased in order to maintain the degree of visual acuity secured
by the aid of the first pair. Persons with presbyopia who put on glasses
because they cannot read fine print too often find that after they have worn
them for a time they cannot, without their aid, read the larger print that was
perfectly plain to them before. A person with myopia of 20/70 who puts on
glasses giving him a vision of 20/20 may find that in a week's time his unaided
vision has declined to 20/200, and we have the testimony of Dr.
Sidler-Huguenin, of Zurich that of the thousands of myopes treated by him the
majority grew steadily worse, in spite of all the skill he could apply to the
fitting of glasses for them. When people break their glasses and go without
them for a week or two, they frequently observe that their sight has improved.
As a matter of fact the sight always improves, to a greater or less degree,
when glasses are discarded, although the fact may not always be noted.
3. Corrective Lenses Condition The Eyes To Fail
That
the human eye resents glasses is a fact which no one would attempt to deny.
Every oculist knows that patients have to "get used" to them, and
that sometimes they never succeed in doing so. Patients with high degrees of
myopia and hypermetropia have great difficulty in accustoming themselves to the
full correction, and often are never able to do so. The strong concave glasses
required by myopes of high degree make all objects seem much smaller than they
really are, while convex glasses enlarge them. - These are unpleasantnesses
that cannot be overcome. Patients with high degrees of astigmatism suffer some
very disagreeable sensations when they first put on glasses, for which reason
they are warned by one of the "Conservation of Vision" leaflets
published by the Council on Health and Public Instruction of the American
Medical Association to "get used to them at home before venturing where a
misstep might cause a serious accident." Usually these difficulties are
overcome, but often they are not, and it sometimes happens that those who get
on fairly well with their glasses in the daytime never succeeded in getting used
to them at night.
4. All Corrective Lenses Contract The Field of Vision
All
glasses contract the field of vision to a greater or less degree. Even with
very weak glasses patients are unable to see distinctly unless they look
through the center of the lenses, with the frames at right angles to the line
of vision; and not only is their vision lowered if they fail to do this, but
annoying nervous symptoms, such as dizziness and headache, are sometimes
produced. Therefore they are unable to turn their eyes freely in different
directions. It is true that glasses are now ground in such a way that it is
theoretically possible to look through them at any angle, but practically they
seldom accomplish the desired result.
5. Corrective Lenses Do Not Address Acuity Improvement
It
is important to note the absence of statistical correlation between refractive
changes and acuity improvements, which implies that other factors besides
refractive changes contributed to the observed acuity improvements. Is it not
only the sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye that improves acuity.
Acuity improvement is a process involving several possible physiological and
cerebral mechanisms. The most striking changes occur in visual acuity.
Physiological changes are largely responsible for much of these improvements
and these can never be addressed by corrective lenses and hence does not
address the problem. Although optometrists use refraction measurements, they do
not provide enough information about whether the reductions in refractive error
are due to axial, corneal, or lenticular changes.
How To Keep Your Eyes Naturally Healthy
Perhaps
the single greatest reason why people in today's society suffer from chronic
eyestrain and deteriorating vision is the amount of time that is spent staring
at computer monitors and television screens.
Your
eyes are designed to move regularly. Frequent movement of your eyes is what
promotes optimal blood flow and nerve tone to your eyes and the six muscles
that control your eye movements.
What
follows are several simple eye exercises that you can do on a regular basis to
keep your eyes and vision as healthy as possible:
Look
as far to your right as possible for 3-5 seconds, then as far to your left as possible
for 3-5 seconds. Rest for a few seconds, then repeat this sequence several
times.
Look
as far up as possible for 3-5 seconds, then look as far down as possible for
3-5 seconds. Rest for a few seconds, then repeat this sequence several times.
Slowly
roll your eyes in a circle, first clockwise, then counter-clockwise. Rest for a
few seconds, then repeat this sequence several times. Be sure to roll slowly -
it should take at least 3 seconds for you to roll your eyes in a full circle.
Hold
a pen in front of you, about an arm's length away. Focus your vision on the tip
of your pen for 3-5 seconds, then shift the focus of your vision to an object
that is farther away for 3-5 seconds. The greater the distance between your pen
and the distant object, the better. If you are indoors, look out a window to
find a distant object to focus your vision on. Repeat this sequence of going
back and forth between your pen and a distant object several times.
Just
for interest's sake, this exercise is used by some professional baseball
players to optimize visual acuity, which is essential for the hand-eye
coordination that is needed to play pro ball.
Please
note that all of these exercises should be done with your eyes, not your head
and neck. With this in mind, keep your head and neck still while you take your
eyes through the movements described above.
Relearning
to See: Improve Your Eyesight - Naturally! is an outstanding book that offers a
comprehensive array of exercises and information that can help you support your
vision. And if you wear eyeglasses or contacts, following the guidance provided
in this book may actually help you do away with your prescription eye wear or
at the very least, help prevent deterioration of your visual acuity as you age.
Beyond
doing the exercises described above on a regular basis, another way to reduce
eyestrain and promote your best vision is to use your fingers to apply gentle
pressure to three acupressure points that can help promote healthy blood flow
to your eyes and the muscles that surround your eyes.
Keep Blinking
Frequent
and gentle blinking is essential to maintaining healthy eyes and optimal vision
because it allows your eyelids to keep your eyes coated with three beneficial
layers of tears:
The
first layer of tears lies right up against the whites of your eyes, and
provides an even coat of protein-rich moisture for the second layer to adhere
to.
The
middle watery layer helps to wash away foreign debris. It also nourishes the
cornea of your eyes with minerals, a variety of proteins, and moisture.
The
third outer layer of tears is somewhat oily. It serves to prevent the middle
watery layer from evaporating quickly, and provides needed lubrication between
your eyes and your eyelids.
If
your eyes are not regularly coated with the three layers of tears described
above, they will be deprived of ongoing nourishment and cleansing, and they
will be unnecessarily strained.
One
of the reasons why many of us don't blink as often as we should is that we
don't see frequent blinking in mainstream media. Actors and anchor-people are
typically trained to blink as infrequently as possible, so when we take in most
forms of media, our subconscious minds learn that it isn't normal to blink
frequently.
To
optimally support your eyes and vision, it's best to blink softly every two to
four seconds, which translates to about fifteen to thirty blinks per minute. By
consciously making an effort to softly blink at this rate, over time, your body
will turn your conscious efforts into a subconscious habit.
If
you're thinking that such frequent blinking will make reading a book or viewing
a movie uncomfortable, give it a try and you'll see right away that it doesn't
take away from these experiences at all.
Here
are some notes on blinking to promote optimal eye health and vision:
A
soft and natural blink should occur like the light flap of the wings of a
butterfly - this is a good image to visualize as you make an effort to blink
softly every two to four seconds.
You
should blink regularly during all activities, including reading, working on the
computer, and viewing a TV program or film.
Contact
lenses can discourage frequent blinking because the back side of your eyelids
is not designed to rub over an artificial surface. This is one of several good
reasons why contact lenses should be avoided whenever possible.
Some
yoga and meditation instructors suggest doing exercises that involve fixating
your vision on one object - such as the flame of a candle - and doing your best
not to blink. Frequent blinking while doing this type of exercise doesn't take
away from the ability to experience inner stillness.
More Visual Training
The
following techniques, then, are based on these premises: First, that the art of
seeing-like other fundamental skills such as talking, walking, and using one's
hands-is acquired. Second, this skill is normally learned through unconscious
self-instruction in childhood. Third, for many of us in today's pressure-packed
world, the only way to keep perfect sight is to practice techniques of
conscious eye relaxation. Finally, if the exercises are performed correctly for
a sufficient length of time-in conjunction with a proper diet and a physical
conditioning program-eyesight will show permanent improvement. (The corollary
to this is that the stronger the lenses you wear now-and the longer the time
that you've worn them-the more time and effort you'll have to put forth to
achieve better vision.)
It's
best to "palm" while sitting or lying on the floor, with your elbows
propped on a cushioned surface. Close your eyes and then cover them with the
palms of your hands, crossing the fingers of one hand over those of the other
on your forehead. Don't, however, apply any pressure on the lids with your
palms. Ideally, you'll "see" a field of intense blackness, which
indicates a state of perfect relaxation. If instead you witness illusions of
light, bright color, or patches of gray, you're tense to some degree. However,
don't concentrate on trying to "see" blackness, as the effort itself
will produce strain. Rather, passively visualize a pleasant memory-one that
helps ease your mind-while keeping your shoulders and neck relaxed. The more
frequent and lengthy the periods of palming, the more likely you are to school your
eyes to reduce muscle tension, with subsequent benefit to your sight.
Pinhole Glasses
Pinhole
glasses, also known as stenopeic glasses, are eyeglasses with a series of
pinhole-sized perforations filling an opaque sheet of plastic in place of each
lens. Similar to the workings of a pinhole camera, each perforation allows only
a very narrow beam of light to enter the eye which reduces the size of the
circle of confusion on the retina and increases depth of field. In eyes with
refractive error, the result is claimed to be a clearer image.
Unlike
conventional prescription glasses, pinhole glasses produce an image without the
pincushion effect around the edges (which makes straight lines appear curved).
After
prolonged use, the plastic grating should become easy to ignore. With certain
eye exercises such as those below, pinhole glasses can permanently improve
eyesight. Skeptics argue that no scientific evidence has been found to support
them. Due to a lack of formal clinical studies to substantiate this type of
claim by companies selling pinhole glasses, this type of claim is no longer
allowed to be made in the United States under the terms of a legal settlement
with the Federal Trade Commission, however empirical evidence suggests they do
work.
Swinging
This
whole-body exercise improves vision, relieves fatigue and stress, and increases
the mobility of the eyes. Stand looking straight ahead, with your feet
positioned about 12 inches apart. Now, rotate your body-head, trunk, and all-to
the left, throwing your weight onto your left foot while you allow your right
heel to rise from the floor. Keep your shoulders and neck straight. When you
swing to the opposite side, shifting your weight to your other foot, your eyes
will cover a 180 degree arc.
Absolutely
no attempt should be made to focus your sight on anything. Just maintain an
attitude of passive relaxation, making about 30 of these "arcs" per
minute. You should do this exercise twice daily, completing the swing from side
to side 100 times. By doing your swings right before bedtime, you'll prevent
eyestrain from occurring during sleep.
Sunning
Although
there's no scientific evidence available to prove that sunning helps vision,
many people who have tried it testify to its benefits, particularly those whose
eyes have become oversensitive to light.
All
sunning should be done with the eyes closed. Sit or stand in the sunlight, face
relaxed, and let the rays of the sun penetrate and ease the tension in your
eyelids. This is a good way to start off the day, and even a few minutes will
help. To avoid possible strain on your eyes, rotate your head slightly from
side to side or move it as if you were using your nose to draw a circle around
the sun . . . breathe deeply and don't squint.
Central Fixation
Central
fixation refers to the fact that-since the central portion of the retina is the
point of most acute vision-the eye sees only one small part of any object
sharply, with all the other areas being slightly blurred. When you look at a
thing, your eye shifts very rapidly over it to achieve the illusion of clearly
seeing the entire object at once. To demonstrate this fact, look at an object,
focusing on its topmost part. Without actually moving your focus downward, try
to "see" the bottom of the object. You'll find that its lower details
don't appear to be sharp.
A
problem-free eye shifts quite rapidly and unconsciously while it is observing.
People with imperfect vision often try to see a large part of the visual field
at once, all areas equally well simultaneously, without moving their eyes. This
puts considerable strain on the eye . . . and also on the brain, the organ that
actually has to integrate what you see.
To
correct this tendency, it's important to develop your central fixation by
teaching your eyes that it's "acceptable" to see only one point
clearly at a time. The orbs must learn to move and refocus rapidly, rather than
straining to see an entire object at one sighting. You can do this by studying
an eye chart, training yourself to look at the top of a letter on the chart
while "accepting" an unfocused image of its bottom (and vice versa).
When you can accomplish this easily, your eyes will be relaxed, and your vision
will be improved.
Most
of us rely on our vision to supply 80% to 90% of the information we process
about the world. Our sight affects the way that we think and, in addition, the
way we think affects our sight. (If you don't believe the latter statement,
just remember that you actually see the world upside down...but your mind
"inverts" the images so that they make sense!) Taking good care of
this dominant sense organ, then, is obviously important. Will a regimen of
eye-training exercises help you do that...and even improve defective vision?
There's only one way to answer that question for yourself.
Sources:
iblindness.org
motherearthnews.com
drbenkim.com
strong-eyes.com
Marco
Torres is a research specialist, writer and consumer advocate for healthy
lifestyles. He holds degrees in Public Health and Environmental Science and is
a professional speaker on topics such as disease prevention, environmental
toxins and health policy. This article appeared in Prevent Disease
