About the Author

Basics of Natural Eyesight Improvement - The simple secret Eye Doctors hide from the public.
Ophthalmologist Bates Life  History, Discovery of Natural Eyesight Improvement

    William H. Bates, Ophthalmologist is the Author of Better Eyesight Magazine, Medical Articles, The Cure Of Imperfect Sight By Treatment Without Glasses, Perfect Sight Without Glasses. 

Clark Night (Mary I. Oliver) has converted Dr. Bates Magazines, Books and other copyright free Original Natural Eyesight Improvement Doctor's/Teachers books into Kindle, PDF, Video, Audio and Paperback. Clark Night is Author of 'Do It Yourself-Natural Eyesight Improvement-Original and Modern Bates Method' and other Natural Eyesight (Vision) Improvement books, is a Bates Method Natural Eyesight Improvement Graduated Student and Self-Trained Bates Teacher that has kept her eyesight 20/20 and clearer for 35 years using the Bates Method-Original and Modern Natural Eyesight Improvement. (See pictures of old and new drivers licenses on this website; no glasses needed!) The author teaches friends, family, the public how to obtain clear eyesight.

                                    The secret for clear vision that most eye doctors hide;

What is shifting? It is Eye Movement; moving 'shifting' the visual attention (Central Field) from part to part on a object to see it clear. Relax. Blink. This is the main thing that brings clear vision. Replace squinting, trying to see with shifting.
Dr. Bates describes shifting in Better Eyesight Magazine; When you look at a chair; avoid trying to see all parts clear at the exact same time. Look at one part at a time. Look at, see clearest a part, then move to another part, then another... ; Look at a part of the chairs back, then move to a different part on the back, then another part, then shift to a part on a leg, then shift to a arm, then the top, then side... When looking at a part; continue to shift part to part on the part.
Practice this at close, middle, far distances for clear vision at all distances. Practice as a healthy habit, normal, correct eye (visual system) function. Test, practice with the eyes, vision in this way with; both eyes together, one eye at a time, both eyes together again. If vision is less clear in one eye at one or more distances; practice a bit more with the less clear vision eye to get the vision equal, perfect in the left and right eyes at all distances. Read, shift on fine print for clear close vision if needed.
This is basically the whole practice of Natural Eyesight Improvement. Relaxation of the mind and eyes (eye muscles, body, neck follows); this is Dr. Bates main treatment. When the mind relaxes, the vision is clear. Function of the mind/brain; memory, imagination and other functions that work with the eyes also improve, increasing visual clarity.

           Dr. William H. Bates, Ophthalmologist, Central Fixation Publishing Co., New York City, New York, USA.

Dr Bates discovered and perfected Natural Eyesight Improvement, The Bates Method'. He discovered the natural principles, true, normal function of the eyes (visual system) and applied natural methods, relaxation to return the eyes, eye muscles, nerves, mind/brain, thought patterns, body (entire visual system) to natural, normal function with healthy eyes and clear vision. The Bates Method of Natural Eyesight Improvement.
He cured; unclear close and distant vision, astigmatism, crossed, wandering eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye conditions. Natural Eyesight (Vision) Improvement was practiced years before Dr. Bates discovered it. It is the normal, natural function of the eyes. Hidden from the public by eye surgeons, Optometrists, optical businesses for over 100 years because this method works, is easy, anyone can learn, teach it, including children. It produces healthy eyes, clear vision and frees the patient from the need to purchase eyeglasses, drugs, unnecessary eye surgery. Yes, it can and has reversed cataracts!
Dr. Bates worked his entire life treating people successfully with Natural Eyesight Improvement. When he cured the eyes, vision of many patients, medical students and other doctors in the hospital where he worked with natural treatments, without use of eyeglasses, surgery, drugs and proved his method is fact and that some of the old theories of eye function are incorrect, only theories; the doctors, eye surgeons that preferred to sell eyeglasses, surgery, drugs became angry and expelled him. (See: `Reason and Authority' and `Dr. Bates Lecture' in Better Eyesight Magazine: November, 1919, April, 1923 and Articles in his book.) Dr. Bates then opened his own office, a Clinic in Harlem, New York City. He treated thousands of people by natural methods, including many of the poor people that had little money. He kept his price for medical treatment low and also provided no charge office visits `Free Clinic Days' for people that could not afford to pay for a visit to an Ophthalmologist. His treatments were successful. He cured the young and old, people of all ages, nationalities, cured a variety of eye conditions.
The Bates Method is so simple and effective that many of his cured patients, `often children' then went on to cure their friends, family, parents, teachers and other children of defective vision including crossed, wandering eyes. Read the `true story of the two little girls that restored a blind mans eyesight' in the Oct. 1925 Magazine Issue. Read Dr. Bates full story in `Better Eyesight Magazine' and his book `The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses'.
Dr. Bates recorded 11 years of work in his clinic, his patients and their varied treatments in his Better Eyesight Magazines, Books and Medical Articles. Dr. Bates Better Eyesight Magazines contain many Natural Treatments, a variety of Activities, Directions, Articles describing how Dr. Bates, Emily Lierman Bates, (his Clinic assistant, wife) and other eye Doctors, School Teachers, Bates Method Students, Bates Teachers, Children and Parents used Natural Treatments to remove, correct, prevent many different eye problems: unclear close and distant vision (nearsight, myopia, farsight, presbyopia ), astigmatism, cataracts, glaucoma, conical cornea, cornea ulcers & scars, retinitis pigmentosa, wandering/crossed eyes (strabismus), amblyopia and other eye conditions. Done without eyeglasses, surgery, drugs. Dr. Bates used surgery, drugs only when necessary, (Eye injury, infection...).
The magazines contain `True Life Stories' of the doctors, assistants, patients, treatments. Interesting, entertaining, fun to read. A History book, life in the early 1900's. Vision improvement based `Fairy Stories' and other articles for children are included. The stories produce a positive, relaxed state of mind, activate, improve the memory and imagination, teach Natural Eyesight Improvement, normal, correct eye functions. This improves the eyesight.
Dr. Bates discovered Natural Eyesight Improvement over 100 years ago - Started around the year 1886. Dr. Bates Better Eyesight Magazines, books are the original source of The Bates Method and true Natural Eyesight Improvement. The Original Better Eyesight Magazine collection is proof that Ophthalmologist William H. Bates discovered the Bates Method, Natural Eyesight (Vision) Improvement and is the True Author of the Magazine.
The Optical, Medical Industry/Association and most Eye Doctors, Opticians have hidden Dr. Bates work, magazines, books, articles, Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public for over 100 years because: The Bates Method improves the clarity of vision, eye function, Dr. Bates writings are proof that Natural Eyesight Improvement works, produces clear vision, healthy eyes, it describes, teaches people how to apply Natural Eyesight Improvement & obtain clear vision `on their own' and prevents the need for purchasing eyeglasses, contact lenses, sunglasses, eye surgery and drugs. The Bates Method is safe, healthy for the eyes, reverses and prevents vision impairment.
After Dr. Bates death, the Optical Industry, Medical Doctors/Association destroyed Dr. Bates magazines, books, articles, removed them from libraries, schools, colleges, bookstores in an attempt to hide the truth about Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public, prevent people from curing their eyesight.
They bribed dishonest politicians, judges to pass laws preventing the public from teaching Natural Eyesight Improvement. They passed a law stating that only an eye doctor can teach the Bates Method. Most doctors refused to teach it. Ophthalmology, Optometry, Optician Colleges hid it, refused to teach it and Eye Doctors were taught in College to ignore the Bates Method. Honest eye doctors were afraid to teach it, were told that they would lose their medical license if they used it in their practice.
A few honest Eye Doctors, Bates Teachers, Students, Libraries from the 1900's - present have hidden, preserved and republished Dr. Bates magazines, books and continued to teach the Bates Method despite harassment from the Optical, Medical Industry: Emily Lierman/Bates, Dr. Harold Peppard, Cecil S. Price, Dr. William MacCracken, Bernarr MacFadden, Clara Hackett, Margaret Corbett, Aldous Huxley, Janet Goodrich and others. (See the case of Margaret Corbett and Aldous Huxley, New York City, USA; The Optical/Medical Industry/Association brought her to court, accused her of practicing Optometry without a license. She won all cases brought against her and cured the eyesight of many people that were in the courtroom. Aldous Huxley (famous Author) was a witness for Margaret Corbett , proved to the court how she reversed his near blindness, improved his eyesight. He later wrote the book: `The Art of Seeing'.
The Optical, Medical and Drug Industry prefers to sell eyeglasses, contact lenses, dangerous destructive cornea laser eye surgery, cataract lens surgery, other eye operations and drugs. They continue to suppress, hide the Bates Method from their patients, the public.
Dishonest Eye Doctors prescribe stronger and stronger eyeglass lenses, bifocals, unneeded astigmatism sections in the eyeglass lenses, tinted/UV blocking lenses & sunglasses knowing that this causes and increases vision impairment, eye muscle tension, abnormal pressure, tension on/in the eye, retina, lens.., dependence on stronger eyeglasses and leads to development of cataracts, detached retina, other eye health impairment and thousands of dollars profit from performing cataract, retina, cornea... surgery. I suspect that some Opticians, Optometrists that sell stronger and stronger eyeglasses receive money, `kickbacks' from eye surgeons when the business sends a patient that has developed a cataract or other eye problem, `advanced and ready for surgery', to the eye surgeon for a operation.
Senior citizens are their main victim, `customer', abused by their doctors, told to wait for surgery until the cataract grows large enough while the doctor sells stronger and stronger eyeglass lenses, bifocals, unnecessary astigmatism sections in the glasses, sunglasses... knowing that this practice will cause more vision impairment, increase, speed the growth, development of the cataract and prevent a natural reversal, cure of the cataract.
A sales pitch for laser eye cornea surgery is often done after the patient's eyesight is greatly impaired from being prescribed addictive, stronger and stronger eyeglass lenses, bifocals and astigmatism lenses.
When the patient feels helpless, scared, they are pressured into agreeing to eye cornea laser surgery.
Laser cornea eye surgeons destroy the health, structure of the eyes cornea knowing it will lead to a variety of eye, vision impairments, sale of eyeglasses, more eye surgery. Many patients have experienced extreme, disabling vision problems, eye pain and blindness has occurred. Patients have committed suicide, explaining to their family they would rather die than live with the greatly impaired vision, pain and poor quality of life that the laser cornea eye surgery caused. See the FDA 'Cornea Surgery Side Effects Warning'. The law states that eye doctors do not have to tell their patients all the dangers, side effects of cornea eye surgeries. Laser surgery destroys the cornea's health, function and often results in more eye surgeries to correct the damage done by the first laser surgery. Even though the TV news stations and newspapers receive a lot of money for advertising Laser surgery they post reports on laser cornea eye surgery side effects.
An honest eye doctor prefers to get the patient to stop use of eyeglasses, will not prescribe strong eyeglasses, bifocals, tinted, UV blocking lenses, sunglasses, unnecessary astigmatism sections, laser cornea eye surgery. He/she teaches the patient how to reverse, prevent unclear vision, astigmatism, cataracts and other abnormal eye conditions.
Due to the truth about Natural Medicine being available to the modern public, interest in Natural Cures; Dr. Bates Better Eyesight Magazines, books, work has been recovered from individual owners, re-published and brought back to the public. Many Ophthalmologists, Optometrists are now learning, teaching the Bates Method and monitoring, recording their patients Natural Eyesight Improvement progress.

                                   Dr. William H. Bates Life & The Bates Method History

Dr. Bates started his career as an orthodox ophthalmologist following the old, long time rules of the practice; prescribing eyeglasses...
During his practice, working with different patients, eye conditions, he realized that unclear close, distant vision, astigmatism and other conditions often cured itself, reversed back to clear vision, especially when his patients stopped wearing their eyeglasses. He noticed that wearing glasses weakened the eyes, resulted in stronger and stronger eyeglass lens prescriptions being needed in order to see clear through the glasses. He began his own studies on the eye and its function. This led him to discover that many of the old ophthalmologist, optometry `supposed facts' about the eye, lens and its function and cause of unclear vision... are incorrect. Dr. Bates began teaching his patients to avoid eyeglasses, stop wearing their glasses.
He taught them natural methods, including relaxation, correct use of the eyes, practice of normal, natural eye function to improve the vision. Dr. Bates cured his own eyesight, close vision, presbyopia. Distant vision also clear. He wrote an Article in his book, magazines describing how he did it with Memory, Imagination, Relaxation. He controlled, changed the focus of light rays in his eyes with his mind.
Dr. Bates performed experiments on the eyes of animals, and observed the function of thousands of animal, patient's eyes under different conditions, situations, state of mind, body, thoughts and emotions. He used the retinoscope to see the refraction, focus of light rays in the eye under these various conditions. He proved that the refraction, clarity of vision changes often and when the eyes are left alone, eyeglasses avoided, the refraction, clarity returns to normal, clear vision. He proved that the state of the mind, thoughts change the refraction of the eye, clarity of vision. Example: when the mind, body is relaxed, positive, happy thoughts, emotions: the refraction is normal and vision is clear. When the mind, body is under stress, strain: the refraction is abnormal and vision is unclear. Dr. Bates discovered that the main cause of unclear vision and other eye problems is: Wearing Eyeglasses, Mental Strain, Mental, Visual Effort to See, Incorrect Vision Habits (incorrect use of the eyes; squinting, staring, not shifting, lack of central-fixation, low memory, imagination...). Perfect Sight occurs only with Perfect Relaxation (deep or active/dynamic relaxation - See Aldous Huxley's book: The Art of Seeing). Relaxation occurs first and then the eyesight becomes clear.
His experiments on the outer eye muscles proved that tension in these muscles disrupts their function, the eyes movement, accommodation, convergence, un-accommodation, divergence, causes pressure, tension on/in the eye, alters the eyes shape, (and lens), disrupts focus of light rays on the retina and the clarity of vision. Circulation in the eyes is also affected.
Mental strain, stress, strain in the mind, negative thoughts, emotions cause eye muscle tension. Neck muscle tension causes eye muscle tension and neck tension is caused by mental strain, negative thoughts, emotions, incorrect posture, injury: vertebrae out of alignment). Inner eye muscle tension; ciliary/lens, iris, tear gland muscle... also occurs. When the mind is strained, tense, the brain and retina do not communicate, function together at optimum level, function of the retina is lowered.
Dr. Bates proved that MENTAL STRAIN causes unclear vision. RELAXATION of the mind produces clear vision. Dr. Bates used his retinoscope to show that the refraction/focus of light rays in the eye are disrupted resulting in unclear vision when a person lies. Lying causes a bit of mental strain. When the person tells the truth-no strain occurs, the refraction is perfect and vision clear. Many things can cause mental strain. Avoid eyeglasses, remove the stress, strain and vision returns to clear. Practice of Natural Eyesight Improvement can uncover old, forgotten stressful experiences, resulting in strong emotions, feelings being remembered, activated. Once the memory, feelings are acknowledged, released and new positive thoughts, emotions placed into the brain, system: often the vision immediately returns to normal 20/20 and clearer. No other practice is needed. The eyes relax, move, `shift'... correct on their own.
Dr. Bates published Medical Articles, Books describing his experiments on the eyes, eye muscles, the effect of memory on the eyes, vision and the effect of the clarity of vision on the memory: 1891 `A Study of Images Reflected from the Cornea, Iris, Lens, and Sclera' & `Memory as an Aid to Vision'. These Articles and others are placed in his 1920 book: The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment without Glasses, Better Eyesight Magazine and his Medical Articles E-Book.
Dr. Bates created Natural Treatments, Activities to cure; reverse, correct and prevent unclear vision and other eye conditions based on his discoveries. This became know as `The Bates Method'. Glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions were also reversed successfully with Dr. Bates Natural Treatments.

                                                                Dr. Bates History - Dates

1860 - Born December, 23rd - New Jersey, USA.
1881 - Graduate - B.S. (Bachelor of Science) Agriculture - Cornell University in New York.
1885 - Graduate - MD (Medical Degree - Doctor of Medicine) - College of Physicians & Surgeons - Columbia University, New York.
1886 - Invented new operation for a type of deafness by incising the ear drum membrane and published article.
Published more articles on the Eye, Eye Muscles, Lens, Cornea, Cataracts, Accommodation, Myopia... from this date onward.
Discovered and published Article on properties of the aqueous extract of the suprarenal capsule, `Adrenalin'.
1886 - First Natural Eyesight Improvement Application - Dr. Bates cures a medical student of unclear distant vision, `Myopia' without eyeglasses, surgery, drugs. 1886 -1902 - Eye surgeon - Instructor of Ophthalmology - New York Postgraduate Medical School, Hospital.
Dr. Bates teaches the other doctors, medical students to stop wearing their eyeglasses and how to cure their eyesight, myopia with Natural Methods. Dr. Bates natural treatments were successful. He states, proves the natural cure for Myopia, unclear distant vision.
(1891 - Dr. Roosa, the chief director of the institution, expelled Dr. Bates in an attempt to hide Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public and maintain the practice of solely prescribing eyeglasses, surgery and drugs.)
Dr. Bates then opens his own office, clinic and works for better hospitals.
Attending Physician, Surgeon, Clinic Assistant - Manhattan Eye & Ear hospital, Bellevue hospital, New York Eye Infirmary-Northern, Northeastern, Northwestern dispensary & Harlem Hospital.
Invented Astigmatic Keratotomy, an operation to correct astigmatism. He discontinued applying this operation after he realized through further study of Natural Eyesight Improvement that the operation eventually impairs the eyes function, cornea, vision, health. It works against the natural function of the eye.
Dr. Bates discontinued his hospital schedules for a while and started experimental work, studied the eyes natural function at the laboratory at Columbia University.., Research at the Pathology Laboratory of Dr. Pruden at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University.
Dr. Bates goes to Grand Forks, North Dakota, (Medical License) and teaches his Natural Eyesight Improvement Method, correct natural use of Snellen Eyecharts in the schools, brings clear vision to the children and teachers. Elected president of the Grand Forks district Medical Society.
Back to New York, worked as Attending Physician - Harlem Hospital in New York City. Teaches his method, use of Snellen Eyecharts in the schools, brings clear vision to the children and teachers in New York City.
1911+ - Met Emily C. Lierman. Dr. Bates cured her eyesight, then hired her as his assistant clinic nurse -They worked his experiments in the Physiological Laboratory at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and treated patient's eyesight with natural methods in the Harlem Hospital, Clinic. Many years giving free treatments to the Public. They Married in 1928.
Dr Bates performs experiments on the eyes of Animals, Fish proving that the outer eye muscles when tense can alter the shape of the eye, lens and cause unclear vision, cataracts and other conditions. He proves the outer eye muscles, oblique can accommodate the eyes for clear close vision.
1918 - 1924 - Course, book `Strengthening the Eyes' by Bernarr Macfadden & Dr. W. H. Bates - Physical Culture Publishing Co. In later book editions, Only MacFadden's name was listed on the book.
1919 -1930 - Dr. Bates Published his Monthly `Better Eyesight Magazine' - Central-Fixation Publishing Co. - 11 Years-132 Issues recording various Natural Treatments for many different eye conditions of the patients of Dr. Bates, Emily and other doctor's... patients. A Gold Mine, History of Natural Eyesight Improvement Methods, Applications.
1920 - Dr. Bates published his book: `The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses'. 2nd print renamed: `Perfect Sight Without Glasses'.
Medical Article - The American Journal of Clinical Medicine 'A Clinical and Experimental Study of Physiological Optics with a view to the Cure of Imperfect Sight Without glasses'. Basic information on The Bates Method.
Many Medical Articles proving the effectiveness of The Bates Method were published though the years.
Elected Vice President of Allied Medical Associations of America.
Stopped work at Harlem Hospital, Clinic and starts Free Clinic treatments day at new location.
1926 - Emily C. A. Lierman (Bates) writes, publishes the book: `Stories From The Clinic' describing The Bates Method, various natural treatments Dr. Bates and Emily applied to cure many different eye conditions for patients in their Clinic.
1931, July 10th - Dr. Bates Deceased, age 70 at his home in New York City.
Emily Lierman/Bates, Dr. Harold Peppard, Dr. William B. MacCracken, C.S. Price, Clara Hackett, Margaret Corbett, Aldous Huxley and others continue to teach The Bates Method. Better Eyesight Magazine and Bates Books, Articles were Preserved. Bates Teachers work in Cities in the U.S.A., England, Germany, Spanish Teachers, South Africa,..
1940 - Emily Lierman, Bates re-published Dr. Bates book with an additional chapter teaching The Bates Method's Application: The Fundamental Principles of Treatment. (The list of treatments is placed in this introduction and is derived from Better Eyesight Magazine, June, 1921 and other issues & Dr. Bates original books). Sometime during her teaching profession she and others continued to bring the Bates Method to California and other states, countries. Thousands of person's eyesight cured naturally. Emily and other teachers made a Movie on `How to Apply The Bates Method'. It is hard to find.
1940 -1941+ - Natural Eyesight Improvement Teachers are sued by the Optical, Medical Industry, Association in an attempt to stop them from teaching The Bates Method. (See Margaret Corbett, Aldous Huxley case in this book.) Optical Industry, AMA, Eye Doctors destroy Dr. Bates Books, Magazines, Articles, remove them from Colleges, Libraries, Bookstores...
1943 - Emily Lierman/Bates re-publishes Dr. Bates book with a new title `Better Eyesight Without Glasses'. Many treatments in the book are removed causing The Bates Method to be mis-understood by students. Students confused Natural Eyesight Improvement with Eye Exercises. (The Bates Method uses relaxation of the mind, body, eye muscles and eyes. Exercise, hard effort is not applied.)
Emily wrote this new limited book out of fear of Law Suits, Abuse, Imprisonment by the Medical People(Optical Industry, AMA...) that preferred to continue selling harmful Eyeglasses, Eye Surgery, Drugs and hide Natural Eyesight Improvement from the public.
Emily and other Natural Eyesight Improvement Bates Teachers, a few honest Eye Doctors secretly preserved Dr. Bates Original Books, Medical Articles, Better Eyesight Magazines in the U.S.A. and other countries.

Mary I. Oliver, William H. Bates (Pen Name; Clark Night)