Natural Vision Improvement

Have you ever been outdoors at night in the dark, and noticed that if you look directly at a small light in the distance it disappears? Then if you look at it with your peripheral vision it returns. (Look a little to one side of it.) Try it out…it’s an interesting facet to discover about your eyesight. It occurs because of the nature of the cone and rod cells in your retina. Like other aspects of your eyesight, night vision can also improve and we will discuss some of the ways you can do this in this article.

Cone cells are those that see in good light, and they give us our colour and detail vision. When the light drops below a certain level they stop working. This is when the vision from the rod cells dominates. These cells cover the outer areas of the retina and so contribute the most to our peripheral vision. In the in-between areas, cones and rods are mixed.

In the central area of the retina directly behind the pupil, the cones hold an exclusive zone called the fovea centralis. Here they create the circle of sharp images that is what we actually give our attention to when looking at things. This clear circle moves around with our gaze/attention. Because the fovea lacks rod cells, in dark conditions we lose that central area of our vision and must rely on the more peripheral and greyscale low light vision given by the rods.

To improve your night vision, consider doing some or all of the following:

Reduce or eliminate the use of sunglasses.
Sunglasses reduce your light tolerance and prevent the stimulation the retinal cells normally receive from sunlight. This reduces the eyes’ ability to respond to low light situations. Sunglasses change natural light into artificial light.
In sunny conditions wear a hat, and use Sunning to increase your light tolerance.

Feed your Night Vision. Vitamin A is the main ingredient in the chemical process of the eye that allows low light vision to occur. It provides the source material for the formation of rhodopsin, the retinal pigment also known as ‘visual purple’. A moderate but steady amount of Vitamin A in the diet is best to refuel this cellular process. Vitamin A can be toxic in overdose so the best source is natural foods. If in doubt, consult your doctor about the recommended doses for you.

Dr. Garry Kappel (O.D.), a specialist in vision therapy, craniosacral therapy and nutrition, described the benefits obtained from the use of a number of well-known “botanicals”, including Bilberry. “Fighter pilots during World War 2 reported improved visual acuity following consumption of bilberries before undertaking night missions. The active constituents of this herb have been shown to accelerate the regeneration of the chemical required in the eye for light and dark adaptation. It also has important anti-oxidant properties. Bilberry has been used to relieve eyestrain associated with computer glare, fluorescent lighting and sustained close visual work.”

Natural Sources of Vitamin A. The body can manufacture its own vitamin A if given sufficient quantities of the precursor Carotene, found in carrot juice, green leafy vegetables, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Another form of Vitamin A is found in foods such as liver, butter and eggs. It also comes as a supplemental vitamin from sources such as fish oils.

Practice the Sunning Activity.
Sunning stimulates the retinal cells, increases light tolerance and enhances the visual system’s ability to utilize and adapt to a variety of light levels. It’s also helpful for mood lifting and general wellbeing.
Always practice Sunning with the eyes closed, preferably in early morning or late afternoon. Sun for moderate periods according to your tolerance and never sunburn your skin.
The basic activity is to close your eyes and turn your face to the sun. With your Magic Nose Pencil trace around the disk of the sun, breathing deeply and allowing your body to relax. Start with just a couple of minutes and increase moderately as above.

Visualize darkness while Palming.
Relax, stimulate and inform the brain and eyes with Palming - using images of rich, warm, velvety blackness. See how many black or dark things you can imagine. Breathe deeply and let your body and mind relax. Deliberately explore the rich darkness behind your palms and closed eyes to increase your ability to see in low light.

When regaining or maintaining good eyesight we always come across the most basic and simple of principles, things you wouldn’t believe you are leaving out of your life.  There is a huge amount of information around improving eyesight, and you can learn this a number of ways, through books, seminars or kits…However, students have commented over the years that there is often one truly simple thing about the way they use their eyes that is a crucial turning point in changing the way they see. 

I recall a student of a Vision Teacher in Toowoomba who remarked that one of the most important things she gained from her vision lessons was to return to relaxed, regular blinking.  This comment really stuck in my mind as we think about blinking about as much as we do about breathing.  Which means we generally ignore it!  But blinking is a very important function of the visual system for maintaining relaxed clear vision. 

Blinking does more than just keep the front of the eyeball in humid comfort, cleaning and lubricating the eyeball’s outer interface with each descent and ascent of the eyelid. A blink’s effects also go further, inside the eyeball. Here each split second of total darkness allows the retinal cells to ‘discharge and refresh’.  They release previous information and are fresh and ready for new input at the lifting of the lid. This helps to reduce eyestrain and visual system energy wastage.

Blinking regularly is a sign of relaxation and positive energy which can help the whole body and mind find a less stressed state.  Experiment with not-blinking for half a minute, and then blink every 3 to 4 seconds for a minute or two.  Experience the changes in how your eyes feel and how it can affect your whole being.

Blinking rates can vary between individuals but the average is about twenty times per minute, or that 3 to 4 seconds.  Notice how different blinking styles convey a different intent in visual communication. The non-blinking of staring contests indicating aggression are one extreme, the flirtatiousness of ‘fluttering’ eyelashes is another. Regular relaxed blinking indicates a state of friendly confidence.

Today I was reading through some inspirational material from Janet Goodrich’s days at the groundbreaking Vital Health Centre in Los Angeles in the late 1970’s. I found the following quote which I want to share with you.

“I am so powerful, really, why don’t I just go ahead and take responsibility for that power, allow myself to heal myself? I guess I was just conditioned from birth to let the doctors take the responsibility for my health. But all they took responsibility for was my sickness, not my health. They were only interested in me when I was sick, when they could treat an illness. I want the opposite.  I want to help myself, first of all, and I want to help myself stay healthy, not just help myself get well. It’s such a small change in perception, but it’s really a revolution!” Lisette Scholl, author of Visionetics, 1978

To me this concept is very important in informing our self perceptions.  Our entire life is filtered through our ‘inner world’ and all our interactions with the external world and others is coloured by this.  When we take responsibility for ourselves we must take responsibility for the structures and images of our inner world.  This will affect us in every way, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Janet Goodrich wrote that “seeing” has two meanings. “There is seeing in the physical sense of light transmitted through the eyes and seeing in an internal mental sense. Clarity of physical seeing is called visual acuity and can be objectively measured. Clarity of internal seeing is often called ‘wisdom’, ‘genius’ or ‘insight’, and cannot be mechanically gained or measured.  Somewhere within each person these two kinds of seeing meet. At this junction, between physical and mental vision, imagination can activate both visual acuity and internal seeing.”

Some of the most powerful vision improvement experiences have been triggered by the conscious use of the imagination and our powers of visualization.  While for some it is linked to a religious foundation and called ‘prayer’, for others it is linked to a less specific spiritual concept. Quantum physics has brought us closer than ever to the ability to explain how the ‘power of the mind’ can influence the physical, something that esoteric practices and positive thinkers have been espousing for many years. 

When we use ‘right-brain’ learning techniques for memory and retaining information in the brain for long term access, the use of images is a vitally important component. I find this a really exciting idea, the ways in which practiced use of images leads to a greater use of the abilities of our brain.  To use more of the power of our human brain in our daily life we can start by becoming aware of the importance of imagery to the way our minds function.  We can use it as a tool for increasing physical function, happiness and clarity of eyesight.

The activity of Palming brings together the physical life/healing energy of the body (chi), directing it into the eyes, and the power of the visualizing mind.  We can use Palming to relax, to inform the body intelligence of our goals, and to assist the visual brain in ‘practicing’ the processing of visual information. We hope you enjoy the audio gift accompanying this article, a visualization with Carina Goodrich entitled: Fishing for Stars.  This visualization has been designed to be of benefit to all refractive errors. 

(press the play button)

To download this audio right click on
the link below and ’save target as’.
Fishing For Stars Palming Visualization

Enjoy!

For those with myopia who understand the tight and fixated feeling of ‘staring’, the concept that the eyes must move to see is readily embraced.  When we teach vision activities, or ‘games’, we frequently mention the necessity of returning movement to the eyes and the visual system.  In this article I will discuss why the eyes need to move for clear eyesight.

First we discover that even when the eyes appear to be stationary, looking at a single point in space, they are in fact, moving.  The moves they are making are the tiny involuntary vibrations known as saccadic movement, or saccades.  Many of those who make regular visits to the optometrist have never heard of saccades, yet they are the most vital basic function of all eyesight. 

Most people are familiar with the basic principles of vision; that light enters the pupil, falls on the retina and stimulates the retinal cells. The information acquired by these cells is transferred in a constant stream via the optic nerve to the visual cortex. Here these signals are interpreted into the vision that we utilize pretty much all day, everyday, for every interaction with the external world.

What is not always widely known is that (more…)

Well, it’s been a little while since lunch (our last article), and I imagine you must be getting pretty hungry by now.  I am excited to get to dinner as I get to feature a couple of my favourite recipes here.  The baked rice recipe is fantastic for convenience.  I love being able to throw a bunch of ingredients in the pot, bang it in the oven and walk away and do something else for 1 ½ hours, as so many meals seem to have us standing at the bench for that period instead!  It can be kept as a simple and nourishing meal by having with salad, or add a few toppings after cooking for an absolute feast.

For dinner the feature topic is good oil vs bad oil. I have promised a little discussion on eating oils, which has been a controversial issue for many years.  The mainstream information has gone back and forth over the issues of fats, cholesterol, animal fats, vegetable oils, margarine, butter….it’s become a real confusion.  I hope that a few simple principles plus some suggestions for further reading will help to clarify this important nutritional topic.  (more…)

Ah, finally it’s lunchtime.  Don’t you love the feeling when the work day is half over and you can take a break, have a tasty meal, take in some air and perhaps have a chat, a walk or a read to give your mind a break from the job? When we are working hard and are busy it can be so easy to fall into the trap of tasty and fast lunches, and unfortunately it can be expensive too.  Not just on your wallet, but on your body.  For those who eat lunch away from home it can be a challenge to provide ourselves with truly healthy meals.  But over the years our bodies will show the accumulation of too many poor lunches, particularly for those who spend most of the day sitting.  

Many of the recipes I am offering can be great work and school lunches with just a little planning.  They can be prepared the night before and/or quite quickly in the morning, can travel well, and provide both taste and nutrition to last you through the afternoon.  Remember it’s what we do most of the time that matters.  Save your favorite unhealthy or too heavy lunch for the special days, and create a new habit around regularly nurturing your body with your vital midday meal. It doesn’t mean giving up on yummy lunches! (more…)

Good general health is the foundation of good eyesight. Obtaining both nutrients (vitamins and minerals) for cell, muscle and nerve function, and enzymes for digestion (so we can break down the foods and assimilate the nutrients) is the primary goal. The foods we eat for good eyesight are basically the same foods as for good health, optimum weight maintenance and longevity (handy, isn’t it?).

When we eat can also be important, and the articles in this series will each feature a specific mealtime.  We will discuss what the body is doing at different times of the day as we explore each meal. (more…)

In Part 1 of this article we discussed how breathing affects your body, nervous system and interacts with your brain and emotions. We also learned two breathing activities, the Ujjayi Breath and the Alternate Nostril Breath. In Part 2 we will discuss the connections between your lungs and emotions, smoking, addictions, how to use sound for physical and emotional benefit, and learn the Three Part Breath.

What about the lungs?  Here we have the organ that connects our breath to every cell in our body through the conversion of gases, making oxygen available to the bloodstream and exchanging carbon dioxide.  But our organs relate to more than just their obvious physical function. (more…)

Breathing is one of the first topics I discuss when starting students on their eyesight improvement programme. Why?

Your breath does much more than bring oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide.  Although even in this vital function our lack of awareness often allows us to miss out on the full benefits of this exchange of gases.  Shallow breathing that goes only to the chest (rather than all the way to the diaphragm and abdomen) is a common feature in those with anxiety and/or visual blur, and can contribute to a lack of total wellbeing and poor digestion.  It also plays a major role in the state of tension that is a part of the ‘staring habit’ of those in glasses.

On the other hand, ‘good’ breathing can be an important doorway to self-nurturing and provides free, easy and very useful tools for management of physical health and emotional hygiene.  Later in this article I will give you some effective breathing activities, that are simple and enjoyable and offer numerous benefits.  First lets discuss further the importance of how you breathe and why. Let’s explore how our breathing habits affect not just the physical, but in many ways are also intimately connected with our emotional selves, as both of these areas are important for eyesight improvement. (more…)

As many millions of people around the world spend eight or more hours a day in offices, it is no surprise that ‘office stress’ is a common cause of many chronic well-being and vision problems. However it is reassuring to know we can greatly reduce the stress we find there.

One of the key factors involves awareness of what particular daily and hourly occurrences are causing strain on the body, eyes and mind. You can take note of what environmental factors around you most influence your ability to think clearly and stay relaxed. Then make any changes you can towards reducing this effect. By increasing your comfort and reducing stress, you will find that you and your body are happier, and your work performance will improve!

Posture awareness is very important. Make sure your seating is good and supports your lower back. Adjust the height of your chair relative to your writing or typing surface to achieve the most comfort. Feet should reach the floor or be otherwise supported. Are you sitting straight? Use a special (more…)

What are transition glasses?
Transition glasses (T-Glasses) are a weaker version of the regular glasses usually prescribed by your optician. Usually transition glasses will be between 50% and 80% of full strength glasses. Transition glasses are very important in natural vision improvement as they allow your eyes room for improvement.

General Philosophy:
That the students go without glasses as much as possible applying the relaxation and better vision activities. The transition or T-glasses are worn when necessary, for driving, work or when the student feels the need for correction. Even when the T-glasses are being used we encourage the student to continue their vision ‘games’. (more…)

White Sugar Blues
By Carina Goodrich

Why Change to other sweeteners for good eyesight?

I just finished reading ‘Beekeeping for Dummies’, like obviously many other (crazy?) folk, I am excited by the idea of ‘growing’ and harvesting my own honey.  For all of my life, ‘alternative’ sweeteners have been the norm, due to my mother’s interest in nutritional health and good eyesight.  Honey is the main sweetener we use, being able to find local fresh and raw honey out here in the countryside.  With four sweet tooths (or is it teeth?) in the house, we definitely get through the honey. 

Aside from the fascinating world that honey opens your eyes to, and the amazing properties of other natural sugar substitutes, why avoid white sugar? There are several reasons. The most prominent in relation to refractive error has to do with a trace mineral called chromium. White sugar in the body sneaks into the mineral reserves and steals away chromium. A lack of chromium has been demonstrated to be a significant factor in the development of myopia.  

Chromium is essential for (more…)

Keeping Your Child in Clear Eyesight
By Carina Goodrich
Article Printed in Daisy Chain Magazine
Volume 15, Winter 2004

Whether your child is in glasses now, may need them in the future or is exhibiting unexplained difficulties with school work, knowing how the visual system works and how lifestyle and mental and emotional stress as well as physical factors affect it are invaluable tools to preventing and reversing vision problems.

When educators in the past began to tell us that ‘the eye is like a camera’, they contributed to our misunderstanding about the causes of visual blur. By likening the eyes to a mechanical object, separate and unaffected by the body, the brain that processes the input and the mind that reacts to the end result, they kept us from a total understanding of how the eyes work. It is important to know how vision can change, and the crucial factors in our life that affect eyesight on a daily basis. (more…)

WHY USE THE PINHOLE SPECS AS TRANSITION GLASSES?

THE ADVANTAGES:

1. Pinhole spectacles encourage rapid saccadic eye movements, as opposed to staring through prescription glasses.
2. Pinhole spectacles allow infinite room for improvement in sight, whereas eyes will always try to adjust to prescription glasses, even when the lenses are too strong.
3. There is no need to keep stepping down the prescription.
4. They are less costly than optically prescribed glasses.
5. Pinholes can be used as healthy sunglasses as they let through some essential natural light while cutting down the glare.
6. Anyone of any age can use them to compensate for blur at a distance or up close.
7. After regular use your brain will adjust to the honeycomb effect and will no longer register it.

POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES:

1. Pinholes function best in good light.
2. It takes some time to get used to them, usually a few days.
3. You may need to get permission to use them in the some places (like in the classroom, for students).
4. Everyone else will want your pair!

HOW DO THEY WORK?
(more…)