Blind as a bat most days ...

Anyone tried the "See Clearly Method"?

[Liane]

For several years now, I have had severe eye problems which at times, renders me legally blind. Due to severe (chronic) dry eye syndrome, I have been rejected as a candidate for lasic surgery.

I happened to be channel surfing and something caught my eye, so I stopped and watched my first infomercial ever. It was about the "See Clearly Method" being distributed by a company named Vision Improvement Technologies.

Has anyone heard of this or tried it out? The commercial is very gagey about what the programme entails, but from what I understand, it is simply a series of eye excercises performed daily.

The commercial claims that the vast majority of people who suffer from eyestrain and other problems such as myopia have experienced vast improvement and in some cases, no longer need glasses at all.

Anyone?

[brizad]

I bought it about 2 years ago. I went for the free trial period at first though.

The video and books said that you had to do the exercises twice a day for 30 minutes every day. I realized that I would not do that so I called to send it back (that and because the price was about $70 higher than what I understood when I ordered it.)

The lady on the phone was very helpful and said that I didn't *need to* do the exercises that much but that the more I did them the better the results. She also knocked $70 off the price.

So anyway I kept the program and did the exercises for a couple of weeks and then less and less and then I eventually stopped.

My eye strain problems seemed to get better but I can't say my vision actually improved in the short time I stayed with the program. Although, like I said, I didn't really stick with the program for long enough.

My impression is that the program would work if you were willing to do the exercises. If you have the discipline to to the exercises daily then I'd say go for it. (Wanna buy a slightly used kit?) ;-)

By the way, I just got this book at the library. I've only read about 10 pages so far but it seems pretty good. You might want to check it out. (Sorry, that was not meant as a library pun.) I bought it about 2 years ago. I went for the free trial period at first though.

Visual fitness : 7 minutes to better eyesight and beyond
by Cook, David L.

[edited by: lawman at 1:11 am (utc) on May 12, 2005]
[edit reason] Redundant Paragraphs [/edit]

[wheel]

Sounds like biofeedback. While I don't know anything about the program itself, years ago I watched a program on eyesight and biofeedback. seemed like it worked - again as long as you did the exercises.

I've often wondered about that as an alternative to laser that I'm contemplating.

[bcolflesh]

Weird, I was just talking to the doctor, because my one eye is not thick enough for laser surgery - he said laser is basically over, and CLR (Clear Lens Replacement) is going to be the next step in the US - they remove your natural eye lens and put in a synthetic one - lasts longer than anyone can currently live and doesn't require any expensive equipment, so the cost will actually start at or be less than current laser surgery prices.

[brizad]

Sounds like biofeedback.

Actually it's not biofeedback but real eye exercises. Some of them involve moving your eyes around in circles, some focusing close and far away, etc.

There are also some parts about massaging pressure points and hot and cold water compresses that are supposed to improve blood circulation to the eyes.

It's actually got much more things in it than I thought it would.

--I read some more from the book I mentioned earlier. This doctor says that your eye muscles are already 100x stronger than they need to be. He says the problem is "visual fitness."

This is the anology he used relating to your hands. You probably have all of your fingers, knuckles, and your hand muscles, so technically your hands are in perfect health. However, that doesn't mean that your "perfect" hands can play the violin or type 100 words per minute.

He says that this is the difference between your eyes being in good heath and being fit. So he gives examples of how to strengthen the brain/eye connection so that your vision will improve. Just like teaching your hands to play the violin, he says you can teach your eyes to work better and more efficiently.

Sounds logical to me...although I'm only on the third chapter.

[Liane]

Hmm, I am one of those people who is skeptical about this sort of thing. The old chestnut about "what sounds too good to be true , usually is"... has become somewhat of a mantra for me.

I am really getting frustrated with my vision! Some nights I can't even see my bed and obviously, I no longer drive at night which tends to put a kink in one's social life.

Though some of you may think I am ancient, I am only 51 with hopefully another 20 (or more) years to go. What quality of life can I expect if the downward spiral continues to escalate as it has for the past few years? How will I support myself?

If anyone has heard of anything they know to be successful (excluding lasic surgery) ... I'd dearly love to hear about it. I may try this thing ... I don't know. It sounds as though it may not be as successful as the commercial claims.

Bummer! :(

[Kirby]

I have a friend who did eye exercises and it did improve her eyesight.

[Liane]

That's encouraging Kirby, thanks! I don't know exactly how one goes about excercising their eyes ... push ups perhaps? ;)

Anyway, I will see what I can find on the subject and give it a shot. It can't hurt! (Well maybe it can, I'll let you know) I can just hear it now, "Oh my aching eyes, must have overdone my excercises!"

[AWildman]

My dad had the lenses in both his eyes replaced. The bad part, for him anyhow, was that he became a bit farsighted. I guess it had to do with the prescription of the lens. He sees well enough though. He still has to wear his glasses so I don't know how it is supposed to improve vision.

[werty]

Perhaps your diet or vitamins could enhance your vision. My mom was diagnosed with macular degeneration and the first step to slow that down was some vitamins with massive ammounts of vitamin A I think?

I will look into the books you siggested.