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Defective
vision is a common problem nowadays. The main reasons for
eye defects are reading in bad light (either too dim or
excessively bright ), excessive reading, reading in
moving trains,buses or cars, watching too much
television, seeing too many films, and eating artificial
food. The popular belief that the use of spectacles can
rectify all cases of defective vision is based on the
assumption that such defects are caused by permanent
changes in the eyes. This assumption is not correct as
defective vision results from functional derangements
which can be rectified by simple natural methods of
treatment.
Persons who are prescribed glasses are told that they
should avoid taking them off because of the danger of eye
strain and that they should always look straight through
the centre of the lens. So, when looking in other
directions they do not move their eye balls and eye
muscles as is natural, but instead move head up and down
or sideways. Thus, constant use of glasses throws the
whole natural process of vision out of gear and causes
‘parking’ of the eyes. Gradually, the muscles
of the eyes degenerate through non-use. Moreover, the use
of glasses results in a reduction of blinking which is a
movement intended to assist and preserve eye sight.
Wearing glasses for many years results in stiff,
dull-looking eyes without any sparkle.Causes
The three
chief causes of defective vision are mental strain, wrong
diet and improper blood and nerve supply.
- Mental
strain : Dr. W.H. Bates, the founder of
revolutionary methods of eye treatment, considers
mental strain to be the cause of all defects of
vision, which puts corresponding physical strain
on the eyes , their muscles and nerves. In his
opinion the lesser defects are mainly due to
mental strain owing to over work, fear, anxiety,
etc. In pursuance of this theory, Dr. Bates has
concentrated his efforts on methods of treatment
which will remove the condition of mental strain.
- Wrong
Feeding : The eye is a part of the body and as
such must share in any condition affecting the
system. Most of the diseases affecting the eyes
are symptoms of a general toxemic condition of
the body due mainly to excessive starch, sugar
and protein ingestion. The muscles and blood
vessels surrounding the eyes share in the
clogging process taking place over the body due
to improper metabolism caused by an imbalanced
and too-concentrated diet.
- Improper
blood and nerve supply : The eyes need to be
properly supplied with blood and nerve force for
proper vision. Any factor capable of interfering
either with the blood vessels or with the nerves
of the eyes could cause defective vision. The
muscles covering the upper portion of the spine
at the back of the neck are the main seat of the
mechanical interference with the blood and nerve
supply to the eyes.
The
Cure
Eye
exercise : The
following exercises will loosen the strained and
contracted muscles surrounding the eyes :
- Keep your head still
and relaxed. Gently move the eyes up and down six
times. Repeat the same movement twice or thrice
at two-second intervals The eyes should move
slowly and regularly as far down as possible and
then as far up as possible.
- Move the eyes from
side to side as far as possible, without any
force or effort six times. Repeat two or three
times.
- Hold the index finger
of your right hand about eight inches in front of
the eyes, then look from the finger to any other
large object ten or more feet away - the door or
window will do. Look from one to the other ten
times. Do this exercise fairly rapidly.
- Move the eyes up
gently and slowly in a circle, then move them low
in the reverse direction . Do this four times in
all. Rest for a second and repeat the movements
two or three times, using minimum efforts. All
eye muscle exercises should be performed while
seated in a comfortable position.
Neck
Exercises : Rotate
the neck.
- in circles and semi
circles.
- move the shoulders
clockwise and anti-clockwise brisky, drawing them
up as far as possible several times,
- allow the head to
draw forward and backward as far as possible,
- Turn the head to the
right and left as far as possible several times.
These exercises help to loosen up contracted neck
muscles which may restrict blood supply to the
head.
Sun
gazing : Sit
on a bench facing the sun with your eyes closed and
gently sway sideways several times for 18 minutes. Open
the eyes and blink about ten times at the sun and look at
some greenery. This helps shortsight and is good for
inflamed eyes.
Splashing
: Splash
plain, cold water several times on closed eyes. Rub the
closed lids briskly for a minute with a clean towel. This
cools the eyes and boosts blood supply.
Palming
: Sit
comfortably in an armchair or on a settee and relax with
your eyes closed. Cover your eyes with your palsm, right
palm over the right eye and left over the left eye. Do
not, however, press down on the eyes. With your eyes
completely covered in this manner, allow your elbows to
drop to your knees, which should be fairly close
together. With your eyes closed thus, try to imagine
blackness, which grows blacker and blacker. Palming
reduces strain and relaxes the eyes and its surrounding
tissues.
Swinging
: Stand with
your feet 12 inches apart, hands held loosely at the
sides, the whole body and mind relaxed. Gently sway your
body from side to side, slowly, steadily, with the heels
rising alternatively but not the rest of the foot.
Imagine you are the pendulum of the clock, and move just
as slowly. Swinging should be done in front of a window
or a picture. You will see the object moving in the
opposite direction of your swing. This must be noted and
encouraged. When you face one endof the window or object,
blink once. This exercise has a very beneficial effect
upon the eyes and nervous system.
Diet
Natural,
uncooked foods are the best diet. These include fresh
fruits, such as oranges, apples, grapes,peaches, plums,
cherries ; green vegetable like lettuce, cabbage,
spinach, turnip tops ; root vegetables like potatoes,
turnips, carrot, onions and beetroots ; nuts, dried
fruits and dairy products.
Cereals are also necessary , but they should only be
consumed sparingly. Genuine wholemeal bread is the best
and most suitable. Nans, cakes, pastries, white sugar,
white bread, confectionary, tea, coffee, etc., together
with meat, fish, or eggs, soon play havoc with the
digestion and the body.
The value of vitamin A for improving vision must be
stressed. The intake of sufficient quantities of this
vitamin is essential as a safeguard against or treatment
of defective vision or eye disease of any kind. The best
sources of this vitamin are cod liver oil, raw spinach,
turnip tops, cream, cheese, butter, egg yolk, tomatoes,
lettuce, carrot, cabbage, soya beans, green peas, wheat
germ,fresh milk, oranges and dates.
Yogic
exercises :
The four yogic
exercises prescribed for strengthening the optic nerve
known as ‘trataka’ as explained in chapter 7 on
yoga therapy should be practised daily. Certain yogasanas
such as bhujangasana, shalabhasana, yogamudra,
paschimottan asana and kriyas like jalneti are also
beneficial for the eyes.
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