Contrary to the common unjustified beliefs, the section of image well seen at normal sight is particularly small. The studies have shown that from the distance of twenty feet, we are able to see with good acuity only the area with the diameter of 1.2 cm. This means that to see clearly the letter of the size of 5 cm from this distance, a healthy eye has to make several micromovements, which will lead to the generation of a few images that the brain integrates into one sharp image of the letter. At the same time, the eye with a defect tries to see the substantial section of its visual field to an equally good extent, by looking at this section, thus generating stress and refraction error.
The sharp vision of only the section of image is due to that the eye retina has a point of maximum sensitivity, and each of its other section located proportionally to the distance from this point is less and less sensitive. In the retinal center is a small circular elevation, called macula lutea, or yellow spot due to the coloring. In the center of this spot is the fovea, the so-called dimple of dark color. In the center of this dimple are no rods, and cones are lengthened and pressed very tightly.
When learning to see clearly the observed object, as a rule it is most helpful to think of the point not observed directly as a place observed less clearly. The section of the object may be seen clearly only when the mind agrees to see the major part of this object unclearly. With the deeper relaxation, the area of poorly seen image section gets larger until the moment when the sharpest seen section becomes only a point.
All the exercises relaxing the sight allow to bring back the normal strength of central fixation. It can be recovered also by the conscious practice and at times it is the fastest and easiest method to bring back the normal vision. The perfectly acute vision consists in the perfectly precise focusing or sharpening of light rays right in the center of the yellow spot. It is natural that when looking in this way we see only a very small area, but involuntary, rapid movement of the eye (up to 70 times per second) allow to generate in the mind an image of any area.
For this exercise you will need the snellen chart.
For this exercise you will need the dot font chart. The advantage is that the letters are drawn by dots, which allows to improve their reading dot by dot, so strengthen the central fixation.
This exercise requires a domino chart.
The desire to see and perceive something we are interested in causes stress both in the mind and organ of sight, which largely impairs the process of vision. It is easy to see here the analogy to the process of recalling facts or events. As long as we exert our mind and try to recall something, our efforts are futile. But when the effort of our mind is drawn away and we do not sweat our brows, suddenly after giving it up we remind ourselves the thing that we considered impossible to recall.
The situation is alike with the vision.
The techniques designed to convince the users of the seeming motion of the objects from the external world and feel the state of immobilization of the eye were named by Dr. Bates as “swinging”. They help to understand the nature of motion, which allows to relax the eyes and body. In this way, we rest and relax our mind allowing the eyes to look rather than see.
Choose two objects in the visual field, preferably some smaller (these can be, for example, a window frame, tree located away or part of a block of flats). One object should be located near, and the other far away.
Pencil swinging is a type of short swinging that can be practiced in small rooms, for example, in the sitting position. In this swinging type, the near object may be, for example, a pencil or finger.
The "flash" is a method to learn and use in practice the unconscious vision, as well as improve the sight activity. The recognition and whole analytic work of the mind during this exercise is largely limited and inactive, while the organ of vision is more aware than the recognizing mind. In the case of the acquired visual defect, a short and quick look with quick and free blinking in the state of dynamic sight relaxation, without the involvement of the recognizing mind, allows to identify and render the normally seen objects.
Without movement there is no vision. The immobilization of the eyeball and organ of sight entails goggling, carelessness, watery and dim sight, and inability to see normally. The proper process of vision consists of minimal and permanent eye movement. During a careful observation of an object, people with normal sight maintain the eyes in such a position that these are able to move constantly from one point of this object to another with minimum effort and unconsciously.
The analytic vision exercise presented below is designed for you to acquire the minimum and constant eye movement. At first, these will be conscious actions, but with time your sight will learn to use this skill automatically and unconsciously.
The work of imagination can have a large impact on our mind and body. Each visualization technique makes our visual system work and changes the eye accommodation. These techniques will help us not only to relax the eyes more, but also improve the power and acuity of sight. These exercises should be preferably performed during palming when our eyes are in the state of dynamic relaxation.
Below we present several examples of visualization, which you can use or create your own on their basis.
On several decks you are seeing passengers talking, children running back and forth, tables laid in the bar. Some are standing looking at the land, while others stroll through the decks. Slowly, the large ship sets sail and you are seeing less and less details on the decks. The windows and human silhouettes are smaller and smaller. You can see that the ship is surrounded by more and more area covered by the sea. The sun is shining. The ship gradually moves further away. It is getting smaller and smaller and you can see only few details. Finally, the ship is so far away that becomes a small dot on the horizon.
In the race participate several athletes whom you can watch at the start/finish line. Try to look at them closely and see as much details in their outfit or behavior as possible. Now, imagine that the race begins and you are watching how the runners are running even further, moving away from you and across the elliptic track. As the runners are moving away, you can see less and less details and finally, they become merely small dots in the farthest location from you.
This exercise allows to get an idea how strong and continuous are the movements of muscles during the cycle of visualizing the motion of object. Though the eyes are closed and “do not see”, all their muscles responsible for refraction and accommodation function in a proper manner while staying in the state of dynamic relaxation.
Excellent effects can be achieved by mental drawing of miscellaneous figures with your nose (preferably, the mandalas). It can be the figure of a violin key, sign of eternity or spiral. You can also use the figures of letters, words or your own signature. During the exercise, you can make gentle movements with your head trying to imagine your nose as a large pen that draws the selected figures.
Although this exercise may seem funny and childish, it is actually very effective in the method of reeducation of vision.