Better Eyesight: The Complete Magazines of William H. Bates

Marc Notes: A compilation of writings from all 132 of Dr. Bates' magazines published from July 1919 to June 1930--Introd.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 651-654) and index. Biographical Note: Thomas R. Quackenbush is a West Coast vision educator who, in "Relearning to See," gave readers the most thorough and technical description of the Bates Method of natural vision improvement currently in existence. He showed how relearning correct vision habits and skills ("sketch, breathe, and blink") could loosen the rigidity of head, eye, and neck muscles that results in blur. Publisher Marketing: Artists, teachers, army officers, housewives, elderly people, parents, and children with vision problems wrote about their experiences with the Bates Method and giving up their glasses in Better Eyesight, Major eye conditions (myopia, astigmaticsm, farsightedness, presbyopia, amblyopia, strabismus, cataract, gluacome, blindness) were discussed by Bates, other opthalmologists, the medical community, and readers. The significance of this literature is both historical and immediate. For the first time, the connection between eyestrain to shoulder and neck pain, headaches, and other muscular tension is discussed. Contributor Bio:  Bates, William H Mary I. Oliver (Clark Night-Pen Name); In 4th grade Elementary School I had to wear eyeglasses to see the blackboard. My teacher also wore glasses. Children pick up eyestrain, incorrect use of the eyes, tension and lowered vision from being around people that wear glasses, stressful experiences in school. I hated the glasses and threw them out in a couple weeks. I sat closer to the blackboard and this prevented strain, effort to see and the vision returned to clear. I could then see clear from the back of the class when necessary. My vision remained about 20/20-20/40 for years. In 10th grade high school I needed glasses again to read the blackboard. I threw them out after 2 days. At this time I found Aldous Huxley's book: 'The Art of Seeing' and practiced Switching and Shifting on objects at close and far distances. I understood and practiced a little Central-Fixation. In a few seconds my vision improved and in 2 days was perfect, clear. Practicing the Bates Method activates, integrates, improves all functions of the left and right brain hemispheres, brain functions. My school grades and personality improved. In the U. S. Army I was forced to wear glasses: distant eyesight 20/40 at times. (It's normal for vision to fluctuate. Glasses prevent natural fluctuation back to clear vision.) I refused to wear the glasses. One day while in a foxhole shooting my rifle at the distant target the Sergeant had me wear the glasses. I could not hit the target after many shots while wearing the glasses. I got mad and took off the glasses and threw them in the dirt, then aimed the rifle and hit the target easily for the remaining shots. Sargent then allowed me to permanently discontinue use of the glasses. Did not need glasses for the rest of my life until age 40-unclear close vision-extremely stressful job at a hotel. Returned close vision to clear using Huxley's book, Bates Method, Cambridge Institute For Better Vision book, practicing methods at close distances, and then took Thomas Quackenbush's course in San Francisco, CA. Also read fine print in the sunlight with relaxation, shifting, central fixation. Distant vision also improved to better than 20/20. Recently in 2009 I had a neck injury and it affected my vision. Neck is healing and use of Natural Eyesight Improvement, Bates Method has returned the vision to clear at age 54. I know from experience that the Bates Method works! Eye doctors, selling eyeglasses, surgery, drugs have hid it from the public for 100+ years!Contributor Bio:  Quackenbush, Thomas R Thomas R. Quackenbush is a vision educator whose seminal book Relearning to See fully articulates the Bates Method of natural vision improvement.