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Methods of Eye Exercise

There are a number of methods of eye exercise that are promoted to improve the eyesight of the user, but the success records of such methods are mixed. Despite the promises or even guarantees given developers of such methods, their effectiveness remains in dispute by eye care professionals and others.

  1. Bates Method

    • The Bates Method is among the most well-known methods of eye exercise in the United States, and was created by and named after ophthalmologist William H. Bates. It consists primarily of relaxing the eyes by using different muscle movements and eyelid positions. The method's primary technique includes an exercise called palming, where using your hands, you cover both eyes with your palms. You don't place any pressure on your eyes, while at the same time you don't let any light in. The exercise calls for looking around in the darkness for a couple of minutes or so, then opening your eyes, and if it's daytime, going outdoors into the sun for awhile.

    Sunning Method

    • Another Bates technique is the Sunning Method, during which you work with a constant source of light--usually the sun if you're outdoors, or a desk lamp of 60 to 100 watts if you're indoors. With your eyes closed, you face the light source and slowly move your head from side to side. After a couple of minutes, you let your head stop directly toward the light source for a few moments while still keeping your eyes closed. Afterward, you use the palming method or sunning method again, if you feel it's necessary, according to Bates. Like palming, the Sunning Method's effectiveness has been disputed.

    See Clearly Method

    • The See Clearly Method, which is based in part on the Bates Method, is a technique that involves stimulation of the eye muscles via a variety of exercises, including alternately placing hot water- and cold water-soaked towels over the eyes, eye massages and versions of Bates' palming and sunning methods. The method, which was created by a group of eye care professionals calling itself the American Vision Institute, has been widely criticized as ineffective. A consumer fraud lawsuit was filed against the institute in 2005. As of August 2010, however, the full See Clearly Method program was still available on the Institute's official website.

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