Customer Reviews

Help Yourself to Better Sight

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This book is amazing. I recently took part in a course, based on Dr. Bates' methods. In fact, my entire family i.e. wife and daughter attended. My number was -2.25 (each eye), while my wife had recently been prescribed reading glasses, and my young daughter (10 years old) had also been recommended glasses of -1 diopters.
After attending this course, my eye-sight improved within two weeks, and my power reduced from -2.25 to -1.5 (each eye). My Occulist couldn't believe this was possible, till he tested my eyes himself, and is now convinced of these methods. My wife and daughter got rid of their specs within two weeks !! Since they had never really worn them, it was easier for them. In my case, I am told that it will take between two to six months to reach that stage, so I am diligently practising all the recommended exercises, including sunning, palming and the various swings described so well in this book.
Once again, an excellent book.

This book, originally published in 1949, conveys Corbett's excellent understanding of the Bates Method. She was one of the people whom Dr. Bates trained extensively to teach the method to others. This is now one of the top books I recommend to other people interested in improving their vision, not because Corbett delves deep into any complexities, but because she presents the Bates Method in a very straightforward, truthful way, without making any of the mistakes that even well-meaning Bates followers often make. This book is a great starting point.

Corbett's book is simple and easy to read, and only about 220 pages. I am a presbyopic in my late 40s: I have age-related nearsight deterioration. When I started reading the book, I needed my prescription glasses (+1.50 in both eyes) to see. Today, Dec. 2007, I am writing this review without needing my reading glasses. It's amazing! I still remember the day I was able to read the newspapers again without needing reading glasses. I was able to see all the words very clearly in good daylight. I still use (weaker) glasses sometimes (+1.00), especially when reading under dim light. But the more I learn and apply from this book, the better my eyesight gets. I must confess--I don't do the exercises every day, but they still work.

I purchased this book in October 2007 together with "Relearning to See: Improve Your Eyesight--Naturally!" by Thomas Quackenbush, hoping that it would make it easier for me to get started on the method so I could read all the details and research later in Quackenbush's thick book. This turned out to be a great decision. I still haven't started to read "Relearning to See" yet, and I haven't attended any vision courses because there are none in my area. My amazing vision improvement is simply due to this little, inexpensive book that covers everything you need to know.

Chapters I and II explain exactly why Dr. Bates' simple techniques work--why such a simple method is so tremendously effective. It explains that one type of "seeing" is good, and another type will damage you eyes. We must learn how to apply and maintain good vision practices.

Chapters III and IV are dedicated to relaxation, explaining how to achieve the kind of physical, mental, and eye relaxation needed to reduce eye strain and regain good eyesight. They provide exercises anyone can do. According to Dr. Bates, once clear eye-sight has been compromised, the relaxation techniques presented are essential in preparing the eyes for achieving perfect vision. And it works because I was able to read newspaper text (in good daylight) without reading glasses after applying the techniques in chapter III and breaking the bad vision habits as explained in chapter II.

Chapter V explains why the bad way of using your vision damages your eyes and what part light plays in the vision restoration process. Chapter VI focuses on daily vision exercises for myopic (nearsighted) people, to re-educate their eyes to see clearly in the distance without prescription glasses. Chapter VII is for people like me, presbyopic (age-related diminished near sight) or hyperopic (farsighted); It provides techniques to help us re-educate our eyes to see close-up clearly for reading and detail work.
Chapter VIII presents exercises for people with unequal eyesight, where each eye sees differently, and for people who are crossed-eyed. These exercises teach the eyes to align with each other for improved vision. Chapter IX gives a summary of the basic daily drills suggested for the different types of eyesight problems. There are also chapters focusing on eye training for babies and small children, people with dim vision, and those experiencing color blindness.

The techniques presented are to be done as a daily program, meaning, it will require work, determination, and persistence. And don't underestimate the importance of the relaxation techniques, they are key to your success. Nowadays, when I feel my eyes getting blurry, I just practice some of the relaxation techniques: one of the swings, or palming, or both, and I'm good to go again. Really, do not underestimate the power of these very simple techniques.

Corbett does a good job presenting the Bates method. It works! I am still amazed that now I can read without having to reach for my glasses. I can't wait to see how my optometrist will react during my next eye-checkup appointment.

I knew this book would be dated (it was apparently published originally in 1949), but I thought it might have some good eye exercises and advice for tired eyes. I was told that I need to have vision training (or vision therapy), but since I cannot afford that right now, I went ahead and bought this book. What a waste. Basically, it recommends that you get more sunlight on your eyes, "palm" your eyes (basically, put your hands over your eyes and press lightly), and swing your body from side to side in the sun while palming (to relax your eyes). Maybe the other reviewers got something out of it that I did not, but I definitely would not recommend it.