Today, around the world, a large number of people have vision problems. How to avoid such a problem when so many electronic gadgets are concentrated around us (handheld computers, tablets, etc.)? In this regard, the number of operations to correct vision every year only increases. However, there is a way to get around surgery with Bates eye exercises. What kind of system is this and who can benefit from it?
The essence of the technique
The name of William Bates is widely known to many. This is an ophthalmologist from the USA who, with the advent of the 20th century, developed his own exercises for the organs of vision. Their goal is to correct such common ailments as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism without the use of medications. As a rule, these exercises allow you to get rid of myopia.
According to Bates's theory, the muscles that surround the eyeball function in the same way as the lens. It is psychological overstrain and stressful situations that are the main provoking factors for the loss of visual acuity and the development of eye diseases. In this case, the type of pathology is largely due to the type of stress. As a result of performing exercises for the eyes according to the Bates method, the person’s psycho-emotional mood improves, which positively affects the organs of vision.
Important Rules
Here you must follow certain rules:
- Do not use glasses when doing exercises! As the creator of the program notes, these corrective devices, on the contrary, prevent the return of vision. There is a need for glasses, then it is worthwhile to focus on lenses with smaller diopters (1-1.5 lower than necessary).
- In no case should you strain your eyesight. Due to increased focusing, the result will be the opposite of restoring vision.
- Exercises should be gradual. For starters, it’s worth doing the simplest movements and only after getting used to them make complex ones. Otherwise, overstrain of the eye muscles cannot be avoided.
On the territory of the USSR, the physiologist of Soviet origin G.A. became the first follower of the Bates methodology. Shichko. For this reason, the system came to be referred to as the ičko-Bates method. ” Today, Professor V.G. is responsible for promoting the restoration of vision using exercises for the eyes according to the Bates method. Zhdanov.
Indications for exercises
In what cases can charging help the organs of vision? The following clinical situations are included in the list of indications for performing the Bates exercise package:
- astigmatism;
- myopia;
- farsightedness;
- strabismus.
It is worth noting that the effectiveness of exercises will be high only in the initial stages of the disease.
If the case is already running, then you should not expect any results from the implementation of the complex.
Number of contraindications
The Bates technique is distinguished by its universal nature of application and practicality. Despite the fact that the system of the American ophthalmologist is completely safe for human health, there are a number of contraindications. There are not many of them, but everyone should know about this:
- After eye surgery.
- Retinal detachment.
Bates exercises for the eyes with hyperopia or nearsightedness can not be those people in relation to whom the operation was performed on the eyes. It is necessary to wait a certain period of time. As a rule, 6 months is enough. After such a long rest, you can begin the implementation of the complex.
As for retinal detachment, this is a serious pathological condition in which the retinal membrane is separated from the vascular. There are many reasons for this. But in any case, people with such a disease can not conduct exercises to restore vision.
Most experts are inclined to believe that the method of William Bates does not help to fully restore vision. In addition, the system of this ophthalmologist is not recognized by the scientific community. In this regard, there is a reasonable assumption: to use it or not, it's up to you.
The effect of muscle on visual acuity
As you might guess, visual impairment is due to malfunctioning of the eye muscles. Therefore, they should be taught to function properly. Bates exercises for the eyes with myopia or farsightedness help in this. But first you need to understand what can cause a disruption in the functioning of muscle structures.
Bates, while working as an ophthalmologist at various clinics, had the opportunity to observe many patients. On the basis of this, he made one important discovery: their constriction interferes with the proper functioning of the eye muscles. In order for them to function properly, a person must be in a relaxed state.
What happens to us when a feeling of danger or fear arises? Right, we are shrinking. The emergence of a sense of compression fetters akin to pain. If the muscles are relaxed, then we can move easily and freely. In this case, vision may improve.
Exercise Features
Currently, there are many ways to eliminate ophthalmic defects. But unlike the use of medicines and surgical intervention, the implementation of Bates exercises for the eyes with myopia does not require large financial investments. This is precisely one of the main advantages.
In addition, the Bates complex has a beneficial effect on the organs of vision:
- improved blood circulation;
- restoration of the tone of the eye muscles;
- relieving pain in the organs of vision, including overstrain.
The American ophthalmologist singles out a psychological strain as the main provoking factor. This kind of load inevitably leads to loss of control, which results in noticeable discomfort. As a result, the risk of ocular pathological conditions increases significantly.
Positive formation
Before you start the Professor Bates complex, you should tune in a positive way. Otherwise, it is impossible to relax and get what you want. Various wordings will help here exclusively in a positive way. For Shichko Bates eye exercises, this is very important.
If a person is overcome with negative thoughts, then entering a relaxed state is very difficult, and sometimes impossible. How to do this when the body itself is in tension?
Unpleasant thoughts cause fear, which causes tension, and first the mental state is affected, and only then it affects the muscles. People who are full of positives live happier and longer. Moreover, this applies not only to the eyes, but also to the body as a whole. So, before you start exercising, you need to remove all your negativity.
Simple warm-up movements
Now it's time to get acquainted with the most common exercises that help both with farsightedness and nearsightedness. Let's start with simple movements. Each athlete knows perfectly well that any physical exercise needs to start only with a light warm-up to prepare the muscles of the body for the upcoming load.
The same goes for Bates exercises for vision and eyes. They affect the muscle structure. To warm up, do the following movements:
- Alternately look up, down, and then close your eyes.
- Turn the eyeballs with muscles into the left or the right side, after which close your eyes.
- Draw a square with your eyes, for which purpose their translation from one corner of the room to another will help. To begin with - in the direction of clockwise movement, then in the opposite direction (for example, from the left corner: right, down, left, up; then from the right corner: left, down, right, up).
- Perform circular movements, as if drawing a circle. First in one direction, then in another.
- The same thing, only with the eights.
If classes begin for the first time, then you should start with 3-5 repetitions. To begin with, this will be quite enough. Subsequently (when the muscles get used), each movement can be done 10 times.
Palming Features
This is the beginning of the basic set of exercises for the eyes according to the Bates system. Its essence is to close your eyes with your palms. This leads to their relaxation. The execution technique is as follows:
- First you need to give your hands a criss-cross position.
- After that, palms need to form a likeness of a cup or boat. At the same time, light should not penetrate through them. Eyes can not be completely closed.
- Now it remains to imagine the complete darkness before your eyes and relax.
- Heat will produce a greater effect, so you should rub your palms against each other before warming up. Such a “bath” helps to relax the eye muscles.
As for the duration of the exercise, you should do it from 5 to 10 minutes several times a day. The more often, the better it will affect the organs of vision. Optimum - at least 4 times a day.
Sun bath for eyes
In another way, this Shichko-Bates eye exercise is also called solarization. According to Professor Bates, a dosed portion of sunlight helps strengthen the eyes and, accordingly, vision.
But not only he thought so: even in ancient times, the sages knew about the miraculous effect of our luminary. It can be said an inexhaustible source of vitamin for our organs of vision. Not without reason, many of us love to watch the radiance of a bonfire or sun disc at sunset.
Three simple exercises:
- Light shadow. As time appears, it is worth going to the window, relaxing, closing your eyes and exposing them to the sun's rays. After some time, retreat behind the wall, "hide." Then get out of the "shelter" and again turn the closed eyes to the sun. This exercise can be performed on the street, and any tree should be chosen as a temporary "refuge".
- Facing the sun. To stand at the window, turning your gaze to the solar disk. Eyes must be closed. Now turn your head alternately to the left and to the right. The advantage of this exercise is that you can stretch the cervical vertebrae.
- Dawn and sunset. It is useful to look at the sun in the morning and evening hours. If there is such an opportunity, you must definitely use it.
During the first exercise for the eyes according to Bates, the muscles experience a reflex reaction to changes in light intensity. They are either compressed or unclenched. Due to this, the muscles become elastic, resilient and trained. After taking a "sunbath" it is worth performing palming.
Important Caution
In no case should you look at the solar disk, when from red it already acquires a bright yellow hue. Otherwise, burns to the retina cannot be avoided. Therefore, it is useful to use while the star only rises or sets. Then its color is favorable for seeing.
For this reason, solarization cannot be done between 11 and 16 hours. As a substitute, you can use an artificial source: a candle or a light bulb with a power of not more than 150 watts.
Remember all
No, this is not a good old film with a famous foreign actor (he obviously does not need to be introduced), although there is another version of it. This Bates eye exercise is reminiscent of palming, but there are still slight differences.
The starting position is the same as when performing palming. Only now it is necessary to present to the eyes not darkness, but some pleasant and bright image that evokes the corresponding sensations. For example, you can recall something pleasant from your past.
Then, when performing the exercise, a person will feel comfortable - his psychological state will begin to return to normal. The body, like consciousness, relaxes, which favorably affects the eyes, improving vision.
This exercise can be performed within 5-10 minutes, which will be enough. At the same time, it can be combined with others, or it can be done separately when it is necessary to quickly remove fatigue from the eyes and relax.
Blindfold
To restore vision, a special dressing will help, which can be seen in many films about pirates. It can be purchased or made by hand. In this case, you should choose a completely impervious to light material. To fix the elastic is suitable.
The essence of this exercise for the eyes according to Bates is to put it on one eye and calmly do household chores for 30 minutes. Eyes under a pirate blindfold should not be closed. After half an hour it is worth performing palming, and then repeat the complex with the other eye.
People's opinion about the Bates system
Many doctors and patients have a double opinion about the system of the American ophthalmologist. On the one hand, there are many negative reviews, but on the other, there are also positive ones.
A number of people who have already experienced the effects of these exercises mention that there is no proper effect on vision. Many experts in the field of ophthalmology criticize Bates’s technique due to the lack of direct evidence of its effectiveness. Moreover, some of them generally have a misconception about the causes of the development of eye diseases.
However, according to other reviews, Bates eye exercises are really effective. A considerable number of patients were able to completely abandon glasses and contact lenses. Today, most doctors recommend safe exercises for use, including palming, making dynamic movements, and some others.