Defective Vision
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.
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
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.
Treatment
Eye exercise
The following exercises will loosen
the strained and contracted muscles surrounding the eyes:
1.
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.
2.
Move
the eyes from side to side as far as possible, without any force or effort six
times. Repeat two or three times.
3.
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.
4.
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
1.
Rotate
the neck
in
circles and semi circles.
2.
move
the shoulders clockwise and anti-clockwise brisky, drawing them up as far as possible
several times,
3.
allow
the head to draw forward and backward as far as possible.
4.
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 palms, 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 end of 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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