PRACTICE THE SAME CORRECT VISION HABITS (SHIFTING, CENTRAL FIXATION) TO SEE CLOSE OBJECTS CLEAR.

EXAMPLE; LOOK AT A SMALL FLOWER OR PIECE OF JEWELRY AT 3 - 7 INCHES FROM THE EYES.
PLACE THE OBJECT UP IN FRONT OF THE FACE, IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD; BETWEEN THE EYES, AT EYE LEVEL.
USE GOOD POSTURE; AVOID BENDING THE HEAD, NECK DOWN.
KEEP THE NECK STRAIGHT AND RELAXED.
SEE EXAMPLE OF GIRL LOOKING AT BIRD; GOOD POSTURE, BIRD IS AT EYE LEVEL, CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.

      

AVOID STARING. SQUINTING, TRYING TO SEE.
KEEP THE EYES MOVING, SHIFTING RELAXED, SLOWLY, CONTINUALLY FROM ONE SMALL PART OF THE OBJECT TO ANOTHER SMALL PART.
BLINK, BREATHE SLOW, RELAXED.
THE HEAD/FACE, NECK AND BODY ARE RELAXED AND MOVE FREELY.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST BATES TEACHES HIS PATIENTS TO USE CENTRAL FIXATION AND SHIFTING WHEN LOOKING AT ANY SIZE OBJECTS AT ANY DISTANCE CLOSE AND FAR.
CENTRAL FIXATION; SEE ONE SMALL PART OF THE OBJECT BEST, CLEAREST IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.
THE PART THE EYES ARE LOOKING AT IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD IS CLEAREST BECAUSE THE CENTER IS THE CLEAREST AREA OF THE VISUAL FIELD.
THE CENTER OF THE RETINA, FOVEA CENTRALIS IN THE MACULA PRODUCES THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD AND CLEAREST VISION, CLEARER THAN 20/20;  20/10, 20/5... AT ALL DISTANCES CLOSE AND FAR.                                                                                                        
OTHER PARTS OF THE OBJECT THE EYES ARE NOT LOOKING DIRECTLY AT ARE IN THE PERIPHERAL FIELD AND ARE LESS CLEAR BECAUSE THE PERIPHERAL FIELD/PERIPHERAL AREA OF THE RETINA PRODUCES LESS CLEAR VISION.
THE FAR OUTER AREA OF THE PERIPHERAL FIELD IS MOST UNCLEAR. THE INNER PERIPHERAL FIELD IS CLEARER.  THE PERIPHERAL FIELD CLOSEST TO THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD IS MORE CLEAR.
THE EXACT CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD IS THE CLEAREST.
THIS IS DUE TO THE POSITION OF CONES AND RODS (LIGHT RECEPTORS) IN THE EYES RETINA.
CONES PRODUCE VERY CLEAR VISION AND BRIGHT COLOR.
RODS PRODUCE LESS CLEAR VISION AND ONLY GRAY, BLACK, LIGHT, DARK PERCEPTION BUT ALSO DETECT MOTION AND THEY CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WHEN IN ALMOST COMPLETE DARKNESS.
THE CENTER OF THE RETINA CONTAINS MANY CONES, WITH THE EXACT CENTER (FOVEA CENTRALIS IN THE CENTER OF THE MACULA) CONSISTING OF ONLY CONES. THE MANY CONES IN THE CENTER OF THE RETINA (FOVEA CENTRALIS), PRODUCE VERY CLEAR VISION AND PERFECT COLOR PERCEPTION IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.
THERE ARE LESS CONES IN THE PERIPHERAL FIELD OF THE RETINA.
THE PERIPHERAL FIELD CONTAINS MANY RODS, SOME CONES.  THERE ARE ONLY RODS, NO CONES, IN THE FAR OUTER AREA OF THE PERIPHERAL FIELD OF THE RETINA.
THIS RESULTS IN LESS CLEAR VISION IN THE PERIPHERAL FIELD.

SEE CLEAR BY USING THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD, NOT THE PERIPHERAL.
PLACE THE PART OF THE OBJECT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.
+CENTRAL FIXATION, SEEING WITH THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD CAUSES THE CENTRAL LIGHT RAY TO FOCUS PERFECTLY ON THE FOVEA CENTRALIS IN THE MACULA/CENTER OF THE RETINA RESULTING IN PERFECT FOCUS OF LIGHT RAYS IN THE EYE AND CLEAR EYESIGHT.
SEEING WITH THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD IMPROVES CLARITY OF THE CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL FIELDS OF VISION.
+SHIFTING; TO MOVE "SHIFT" THE EYES, MOVING THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD FROM PART TO PART ON A OBJECT.
AS THE EYES DO THIS, ONE SMALL PART OF THE OBJECT IS SEEN BEST/CLEAREST AT A TIME.
THE TIME THE PART IS IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD AND SEEN CLEAREST MAY BE FOR ONLY A FRACTION OF A SECOND AS THE EYES CONTINUALLY SHIFT, MOVING FREQUENTLY FROM PART TO PART, BUT, DURING THAT FRACTION OF A SECOND THAT PART IS CLEAREST.
AS THE EYES, CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD MOVES CONTINUALLY, QUICKLY FROM PART TO PART, THE ENTIRE OBJECT IS SEEN CLEAR.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST BATES DESCRIBES USING CENTRAL FIXATION AND SHIFTING TO SEE A LETTER CLEAR IN HIS MONTHLY "BETTER EYESIGHT MAGAZINES".    
EXAMPLE; LOOK AT THE BIG LETTER C.  
  C                                               
LOOK AT ONE SMALL PART OF THE C. EXAMPLE; TOP RIGHT CORNER.
PLACE IT IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.
SHIFT ON THAT SMALL PART FOR A COUPLE SECONDS.
NOTICE THAT IT APPEARS CLEARER AND DARKER BLACK THAN THE OTHER AREAS OF THE C WHICH ARE IN THE PERIPHERAL FIELD.
NOW SHIFT TO A NEW SMALL PART - MIDDLE LEFT SIDE.
THE NEW PART IS NOW IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD AND IS DARKEST BLACK AND CLEAREST.
THE TOP CORNER AND ALL OTHER PARTS THE EYES ARE NOT LOOKING DIRECTLY AT ARE IN THE PERIPHERAL FIELD AND ARE LESS CLEAR.
NOW, SHIFT TO A NEW PART. THE NEW PART IS NOW IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD AND IS DARKEST BLACK AND CLEAREST.  ALL OTHER PARTS ARE IN THE PERIPHERAL FIELD AND ARE LESS CLEAR.
SHIFT CONTINUALLY FROM PART TO PART.
THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD MOVES WITH THE EYES FROM PART TO PART SEEING EACH PART CLEAR.
BLINK AND RELAX.
WHEN THE EYES MOVE FROM PART TO PART (SHIFT) SEEING ONE SMALL PART CLEAREST AT A TIME IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD THE C IS SEEN CLEAR.
NOW, PRACTICE THIS ON THE SMALL C.                  C

PRACTICE ON A FINE PRINT C,  THEN  ON AN O.          c        o
NOTICE OPPOSITIONAL  MOVEMENT (THE SWING) WHEN SHIFTING ON THE LETTER, THE LETTER MOVES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THE EYES SHIFT TO; SHIFT RIGHT; THE LETTER MOVES LEFT.
SHIFT LEFT; THE LETTER MOVES RIGHT.
THE MOVEMENT IS SHORT, LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF THE LETTER.
SHIFT TOP AND BOTTOM ON THE LETTER AND SEE OPPOSITIONAL MOVEMENT.
BLINK, SHIFT , RELAX.

READ OPHTHALMOLOGIST BATES BETTER EYESIGHT MAGAZINE ARTICLES/CENTRAL FIXATION PUBLISHING CO. AT;
 WWW.CENTRAL-FIXATION.COM AND LAST PAGES ON THIS WEB SITE.
+ THE MENACE OF LARGE PRINT  DECEMBER, 1919
+ THINK RIGHT  DECEMBER, 1921

"As a man thinketh in his heart so is he," is a saying which is invariably true when the sight is concerned.

When a person remembers or imagines an object of sight perfectly the sight is perfect; when he remembers it imperfectly the sight is imperfect.  The idea that to do anything well requires effort, ruins the sight of many children and adults; for every thought of effort in the mind produces an error of refraction in the eye. The idea that large objects are easier to see than small ones results in the failure to see small objects.   The fear that light will hurt the eyes actually produces sensitiveness to light.  To demonstrate the truth of these statements is a great benefit.

  Remember a letter or other object perfectly, and note that the sight is improved and pain and fatigue relieved; remember the object imperfectly, and note that the vision is lowered, while pain and fatigue may be produced or increased.

Rest the eyes by closing or palming, and note that the vision is improved, and pain and discomfort relieved; stare at a letter, concentrate upon it, make a effort to see it, and note that it disappears, and that a feeling of discomfort or pain is produced.

   Note that a small part of a large object is seen better than the rest of it.

  Accustom the eyes to strong light; learn to look at the sun; note that the vision is not lowered but improved, and that the light causes less and less discomfort.

 Remember your successes (things seen perfectly); forget your failures (things seen imperfectly); patients who do this are cured quickly.

Ophthalmologist William H. Bates Better Eyesight Magazine Dec. 1921

 + Modern Bates teacher’s state to look at the sun with the eyes closed, but looking at the bright sky is ok as long as over exposure/sunburn is avoided.

+ Palming = to cover the closed eyes with the palms of the hands and relax, think positive thoughts.

+ Staring at a letter = eye immobility, not shifting from part to part on the letter, not using central fixation/the center of the visual field.

+ Seeing a small part of a large object better than the rest = using central fixation; looking at one small part of the object at a time and placing it in the center of the visual field.  This is done on any size objects, large or small at any distance close or far.

+ Remembering, imagining objects clear, storing only clear pictures of objects in the memory relaxes the mind, eye muscles, eyes, activates normal eye muscle/eye function, movement and clear eyesight.

SEE A LARGE OR SMALL OBJECT CLEAR BY RELAXING; DON'T TRY TO SEE.
JUST SHIFT FROM PART TO PART, RELAX, BLINK, AND THE EYESIGHT BECOMES CLEAR.

FOR YEARS SCHOOLS HAVE TAUGHT THAT LARGE PRINT IS BETTER FOR THE EYES.
BATES TEACHERS STATE THAT LARGE PRINT CAUSES EYESTRAIN AND UNCLEAR EYESIGHT BECAUSE THE EYES HAVE TO TRAVEL OVER MORE AREAS OF THE LETTER TO SEE IT AND THIS IS DIFFICULT, SLOW, WHEN TRYING TO READ, SO THE PERSON STARTS TO STARE, DIFFUSE, TRY'S TO SEE ALL PARTS OF THE LETTER AT ONCE, CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL FIELDS EQUALLY CLEAR AT THE SAME TIME WHILE NOT SHIFTING, AVOIDING CENTRAL FIXATION IN AN ATTEMPT TO HURRY AND MOVE ALONG THE SENTENCE.
THESE ARE INCORRECT VISION HABITS THAT CAUSE MENTAL STRAIN, EYE MUSCLE TENSION, EYESTRAIN AND UNCLEAR EYESIGHT. 

SMALL AND FINE PRINT IS EASY, RELAXING TO THE EYES.
FINE PRINT IS EASY TO READ, THE EYES ACTIVATE CENTRAL FIXATION AUTOMATICALLY AND THE EYES DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL OVER A LARGE AREA TO SEE EACH LETTER, WORD.
THE MIND, EYES... STAY RELAXED AND THE PRINT IS SEEN CLEAR.
PLACING A WHITE BOOKMARK UNDER THE SENTENCE BEING READ AND USING THE FINGER TO POINT TO THE WORDS BEING READ, MOVING THE FINGER ALONG UNDER THE SENTENCE AS THE EYES MOVE ALONG THE SENTENCE IMPROVES CENTRAL FIXATION AND PREVENTS EYESTRAIN.
CHILDREN DO THIS NATURALLY.

READ FINE PRINT DAILY, OUTSIDE IN THE SUNLIGHT, SUN SHINING OVER THE SHOULDER ONTO THE PRINT.
READING VERY SMALL FINE PRINT IMPROVES THE CLARITY OF CLOSE AND DISTANT EYESIGHT BECAUSE FINE PRINT CAUSES THE EYES TO USE PERFECT CENTRAL FIXATION, THE EYES CENTER ONTO A VERY SMALL POINT, PLACING IT IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.
CENTRAL FIXATION IS A MAIN CORRECT VISION HABIT THAT RESULTS IN PERFECT CLEAR EYESIGHT, CLEARER THAN 20/20.
READING FINE PRINT IS A MAIN NATURAL EYESIGHT IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITY THAT PRODUCES CLEAR CLOSE AND DISTANT VISION.
IMPROVING THE CLARITY OF VISION AT ANY DISTANCE AUTOMATICALLY IMPROVES VISION AT ALL DISTANCES.

             
PRACTICE READING FINE PRINT AT CLOSE DISTANCES; 3 FT FROM EYES, THEN 2 FT, 1 FT, 10 IN, 7,6,5,4,3 INCHES FROM THE EYES.
PRACTICE CLOSER - PLACE THE PRINT CLOSE TO THE EYES ALMOST TOUCHING THE EYELASHES, SHIFT ON THE PRINT AND EXPERIENCE MICROSCOPIC CLOSE VISION.


             READ FINE PRINT IN THE SUNLIGHT DAILY.

HERE ARE TWO COPIES OF DR. BATES "THINK RIGHT" ARTICLE IN FINE PRINT.
PRINT THEM WITH A COMPUTER.
READ THE PRINT WITHOUT EYEGLASSES.

THINK   RIGHT

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” is a saying which is invariably true when the sight is concerned.

When a person remembers or imagines an object of sight perfectly the sight is perfect; when he remembers it imperfectly the sight is imperfect.  The idea that to do anything well requires effort, ruins the sight of many children and adults; for every thought of effort in the mind produces an error of refraction in the eye. The idea that large objects are easier to see than small ones results in the failure to see small objects.   The fear that light will hurt the eyes actually produces sensitiveness to light.  To demonstrate the truth of these statements is a great benefit.

 Remember a letter or other object perfectly, and note that the sight is improved and pain and fatigue relieved; remember the object imperfectly, and note that the vision is lowered, while pain and fatigue may be produced or increased.

Rest the eyes by closing or palming, and note that the vision is improved, and pain and discomfort relieved; stare at a letter, concentrate upon it, make a effort to see it, and note that it disappears, and that a feeling of discomfort or pain is produced.

 Note that a small part of a large object is seen better than the rest of it.

 Accustom the eyes to strong light; learn to look at the sun; note that the vision is not lowered but improved, and that the light causes less and less discomfort.

 Remember your successes (things seen perfectly); forget your failures (things seen imperfectly); patients who do this are cured quickly.

Ophthalmologist William H. Bates – Better Eyesight Magazine – Dec. 1921

 + Modern Bates teacher’s state to look at the sun with the eyes closed, but looking at the bright sky is ok as long as over exposure/sunburn is avoided.

+ Palming = to cover the closed eyes with the palms of the hands and relax, think positive thoughts.

+ Staring at a letter = eye immobility, not shifting from part to part on the letter, not using central fixation/the center of the visual field.

+ Seeing a small part of a large object better than the rest = using central fixation; looking at one small part of the object at a time and placing it in the center of the visual field.  This is done on any size objects, large or small at any distance close or far.

+ Remembering, imagining objects clear, storing only clear pictures of objects in the memory relaxes the mind, eye muscles, eyes, activates normal eye muscle/eye function, movement… and clear eyesight.

THINK   RIGHT

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” is a saying which is invariably true when the sight is concerned.

When a person remembers or imagines an object of sight perfectly the sight is perfect; when he remembers it imperfectly the sight is imperfect.  The idea that to do anything well requires effort, ruins the sight of many children and adults; for every thought of effort in the mind produces an error of refraction in the eye. The idea that large objects are easier to see than small ones results in the failure to see small objects.   The fear that light will hurt the eyes actually produces sensitiveness to light.  To demonstrate the truth of these statements is a great benefit.

 Remember a letter or other object perfectly, and note that the sight is improved and pain and fatigue relieved; remember the object imperfectly, and note that the vision is lowered, while pain and fatigue may be produced or increased.

Rest the eyes by closing or palming, and note that the vision is improved, and pain and discomfort relieved; stare at a letter, concentrate upon it, make a effort to see it, and note that it disappears, and that a feeling of discomfort or pain is produced.

 Note that a small part of a large object is seen better than the rest of it.

 Accustom the eyes to strong light; learn to look at the sun; note that the vision is not lowered but improved, and that the light causes less and less discomfort.

 Remember your successes (things seen perfectly); forget your failures (things seen imperfectly); patients who do this are cured quickly.

Ophthalmologist William H. Bates – Better Eyesight Magazine – Dec. 1921

 + Modern Bates teacher’s state to look at the sun with the eyes closed, but looking at the bright sky is ok as long as over exposure/sunburn is avoided.

+ Palming = to cover the closed eyes with the palms of the hands and relax, think positive thoughts.

+ Staring at a letter = eye immobility, not shifting from part to part on the letter, not using central fixation/the center of the visual field.

+ Seeing a small part of a large object better than the rest = using central fixation; looking at one small part of the object at a time and placing it in the center of the visual field.  This is done on any size objects, large or small at any distance close or far.

+ Remembering, imagining objects clear, storing only clear pictures of objects in the memory relaxes the mind, eye muscles, eyes, activates normal eye muscle/eye function, movement… and clear eyesight.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THIS PAGE FOR COPIES OF CLEAR FINE PRINT.
SIZE OF THE PRINT AND WIDTH OF THE PARAGRAPH OF FINE PRINT CAN BE ADJUSTED BY DOWNLOADING TO MICROSOFT WORD; SELECT THE PRINT YOU WANT, RIGHT CLICK IT, CLICK COPY, OPEN A NEW BLANK DOCUMENT IN WORD, RIGHT CLICK THE PAGE AND CLICK PASTE.

THE READER CAN ALSO; CLICK FILE AND SAVE AS TO DOWNLOAD ALL WEB PAGES ON THIS SITE TO MY DOCUMENTS IN THEIR COMPUTER, THEN EDIT IT IN MICROSOFT WORD TO MAKE FINE PRINT COPIES.
PRINT 3+ DIFFERENT SIZES OF SMALL AND FINE PRINT ON SMALL CARDS.
KEEP THE CARDS IN A POCKET AND READ THE PRINT IN YOUR SPARE TIME.

START WITH SMALL PRINT IF THE FINE PRINT IS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH.
THEN, AS THE EYES GET USED TO SMALL PRINT PRACTICE WITH SMALLER AND FINE PRINT.
THE EYES CAN READ VERY SMALL PRINT; MICROSCOPIC PRINT.
TYPE YOUR FAVORITE VERSE USING A COMPUTER, THEN CHANGE THE LETTER (FONT) SIZE AND PRINT 3 - 5 DIFFERENT SMALL/FINE PRINT SIZES - 12 POINT, 10, 7, 5, 4, 3 POINT...

READ THE LARGER TYPE AND MEMORIZE THE WORDS.
WHEN THE VERSE IS MEMORIZED IT BECOMES A "FAMILIAR OBJECT" AND WILL BE EASY TO SEE WHEN READING THE SMALL FINE PRINT SIZE.
(SEE CHAPTER-- MEMORY, IMAGINATION AND FAMILIAR OBJECTS FOR CLEAR EYESIGHT).

AVOID INCORRECT VISION HABITS; STARING (EYE IMMOBILITY), SQUINTING, TRYING HARD TO SEE CLEAR.
USE CORRECT VISION HABITS WHEN READING; SHIFT - MOVE THE EYES ALONG THE SENTENCE EVEN IF IT IS UNCLEAR.
BLINK AND RELAX.
BREATHE SLOW, COMFORTABLY DEEP.
DEEP, SLOW, ABDOMINAL BREATHING ALLOWING THE STOMACH/ABDOMEN TO RISE WHEN BREATHING IN BRINGS OXYGEN TO ALL AREAS OF THE LUNGS; UPPER AND LOWER AND INCREASES BLOOD, OXYGEN FLOW TO THE BRAIN, BODY AND EYES AND RELAXES THE MIND, BODY, EYES RESULTING IN CLEAR EYESIGHT.

USE CENTRAL FIXATION; KEEP THE WORD, LETTER THE EYES ARE LOOKING AT IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD AND MOVE THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD ALONG THE SENTENCE PASSING OVER THE LETTERS, WORDS BEING READ.
SOME BATES TEACHERS TELL THE STUDENT TO READ THROUGH THE "CENTER OF THE WORDS" FOR EVEN MORE EXACT CENTRAL FIXATION AND THIS DOES PRODUCE CLEAR EYESIGHT.
TRY READING THROUGH THE CENTER OF THE WORDS TO SEE THE TV CABLE CHANNEL GUIDE CLEAR AT  A DISTANCE OF 10 TO 20 FEET.
SOME STUDENTS FIND IT EASIER AND MORE NATURAL TO LET THE EYES MOVE ABOUT FREELY ALONG THE SENTENCE LETTERS, WORDS.
EITHER WAY IS OK.   

AS LONG AS THE EYES MOVE, USE CENTRAL FIXATION, SHIFT FROM POINT TO POINT, THE VISION REMAINS CLEAR.

THIS OCCURS QUICKLY, AUTOMATICALLY , NO EFFORT AS THE EYES MOVE ALONG THE SENTENCE.

                                           
REMEMBER; DON'T TRY TO SEE CLEAR.
EFFORT INTERFERES WITH THE EYES NATURAL FUNCTION AND CAUSES STRAIN AND BLUR.
JUST USE CORRECT VISION HABITS, RELAX AND THE EYESIGHT WILL BECOME CLEAR ON ITS OWN.

READING FINE PRINT AND CENTRAL FIXATION ALSO IMPROVES ACCOMMODATION AND CONVERGENCE AT CLOSE DISTANCES WHICH BRINGS FAST VISION IMPROVEMENT.

READING FINE PRINT RELAXES THE MIND AND EYES BECAUSE THE MIND, EYES MUST RELAX PERFECTLY TO SEE IT CLEAR.
CENTRAL FIXATION, ALSO ACTIVATED BY THE FINE PRINT ALSO RELAXES THE MIND, EYES.
WORRYING ABOUT THE CLARITY OF VISION INTERFERES WITH THIS RELAXATION AND PREVENTS CLEAR VISION, SO, RELAX, "FORGET ABOUT THE EYES", AND ENJOY READING THE PRINT AND THE FIRST FLASHES OF CLEAR VISION WILL OCCUR SOON.

ALWAYS READ SOMETHING YOU ENJOY.
THIS KEEPS THE MIND POSITIVE, INTERESTED IN THE SUBJECT, KEEPS THE MIND, EYES RELAXED AND EYESIGHT CLEAR.

AVOID BENDING THE HEAD, NECK DOWN OR PUSHING THE NECK, HEAD FORWARD WHEN READING OR LOOKING AT ANY OBJECT.
USE GOOD POSTURE; SIT UP STRAIGHT. NECK STRAIGHT AND RELAXED.
PLACE THE PRINT ON A BOOK HOLDER UP AT EYE LEVEL IN THE CENTER OF THE VISUAL FIELD.

DR. BATES TAUGHT THAT READING FINE PRINT IN DIM LIGHT WITHOUT EFFORT, WITHOUT STRAIN, WHILE IN A RELAXED STATE GREATLY IMPROVES THE VISION.

HERE'S ANOTHER ARTICLE BY DR. BATES;

                                                 
                                                                                            Better Eyesight Magazine  Dec. 1919
                                                                                            by Ophthalmologist William H. Bates

                                                                                               THE MENACE OF LARGE PRINT

If you look at the big "C" on the Snellen test card (or any other large letter of the same size) at ten, fifteen, or twenty feet, and try to see it all alike, you may note a feeling of strain and the letter may not appear perfectly black and distinct.  If you now look at only one part of the letter, and see the rest of it worse, you will note that the part seen best appears blacker than the whole letter when seen all alike, and you may also note a relief of strain.   If you look at the small "c" on the bottom line of the test card, you may be able to note that it seems blacker than the big "C".   If not, imagine it as forming part of the area of the big "C".  If you are able to see this part blacker than the rest of the letter, the imagined letter will, of course, appear blacker also.  If your sight is normal, you may now go a step further and note that when you look at one part of the small "c" this part looks blacker than the whole letter, and that it is easier to see the letter in this way than to see it all alike.

If you look at a line of the smaller letters that you can read readily, and try to see them all alike-all equally black and equally distinct in outline-you will probably find it impossible, and the effort will produce discomfort and, perhaps pain.  You may, however, succeed in seeing two or more of them alike.  This too, may cause much discomfort, and if continued long enough, will produce pain.  If you now look at only the first letter of the line, seeing the adjoining ones worse, the strain will at once be relieved, and the letter will appear blacker and more distinct than when it was seen equally well with the others.

If your sight is normal at the near- point, you can repeat these experiments with a letter seen at this point, with the same results.  A number of letters seen equally well at one time will appear less black and less distinct than a single letter seen best, and a large letter will seem less black and distinct than a small one; while in the case of both the large letter and the several letters seen all alike, a feeling of strain may be produced in the eye.  You may also be able to note that the reading of very fine print, when it can be done perfectly, is markedly restful to the eye.

The smaller the point of maximum vision, in short, the better the sight, and the less the strain upon the eye.  This fact can usually be demonstrated in a few minutes by anyone whose sight is not markedly imperfect; and in view of some of our educational methods, is very interesting and instructive.

Here Ophthalmologist Bates lists a few examples of how schools and other institutions have allowed only large print to be read by small children.  See entire article and many of Dr. Bates  "Better Eyesight Magazines"  at;  http://www.Central-Fixation.Com  and on page 35, 36 of this web site.

Yet it has just been shown that large print is a strain upon the eyes, while the retinoscope demonstrates that a strain to see at the near-point always produces hypermetropia (commonly but erroneously called "farsight").  We should naturally expect, therefore, to find hypermetropia very common among small children; and it is.  Of children eight and a half years old in the public schools in Philadelphia, Risley found that more than eighty-eight  percent were hypermetropic, and similar figures may be found in all statistics of the subject.  The percentage declines as the children become older, but hypermetropia, or hypermetropic astigmatism, remains at all ages the most common of all errors of refraction.  Hypermetropia is, in fact, a much more serious problem than myopia, or nearsight.  Yet we have heard very little about it, for the specialists have concluded, from its prevalence and its tendency to pass away or become less pronounced with the growth of the body, that it is the normal state of the immature human eye and therefore beyond the reach of preventive measures.  It is true that many young children are not hypermetropic, but this fact is easily disposed of  by the theory that the ciliary muscle alters the shape of the lens in such cases sufficiently to compensate for the shortness of the eyeball.

The baselessness of this theory, as well as the relation of large print to the production of hypermetropia, may be demonstrated by the fact that the condition can be relieved, and has been relieved in numerous cases, by the reading of fine print, combined with rest of the eyes.  A child of eight was cured in a few visits by this means.   Yet according to the British association she should not, at this age, have been allowed to read any type larger than 12-point, with capitals more than an eighth of an inch in height.  Many grown people have been cured of hypermetropia in the same way, and in all forms of functional imperfect sight the reading of fine print, when it can be done with comfort, has been found to be a benefit to the eyes.  Even straining to see fine print is sometimes a benefit in myopia.

Bates teachers teach relaxation and correct vision habits that prevent strain when reading fine print.
Dr. Bates cured his own eyesight; obtained clear close and distant vision with Natural Eyesight Improvement.
Dr. Bates shows his students how to experience use of incorrect vision habits that result in discomfort and blur and how to experience use of correct vision habits resulting in comfort and clear eyesight as described in this article.
+ Incorrect vision habits = Staring, eye immobility, trying to see all parts of a object, and/or two or more objects equally clear at the same time without moving the eyes; not shifting from object to object, not shifting from part to part on a object and
not using central fixation; not seeing one object/one small part of the object clearest at a time in the center of the visual field results in eyestrain, discomfort and blur.
+ Correct vision habits = Central fixation; seeing one object clearest at a time in the center of the visual field and seeing one small part of the object clearest at a time in the center of the visual field and,
shifting from part to part on the object results in relaxation, comfort and clear eyesight.
When the student recognizes the cause of blur, he/she learns to avoid it and use the eyes correct resulting in clear eyesight.

                                             READ IN THE SUNLIGHT.

FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT IMPROVES THE CLARITY OF EYESIGHT.                                                          
THE EYES HAVE DEVELOPED OVER MILLIONS OF YEARS DUE TO EXPOSURE TO AND FUNCTION WITH SUNLIGHT. THE EYES ARE BUILT FOR ABSORBING, USING SUNLIGHT.
THE EYES, BRAIN AND BODY NEED EXPOSURE TO FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT DAILY.
FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT IS OBTAINED BY GOING OUTSIDE IN THE SUN WITHOUT WEARING EYEGLASSES, CONTACT LENSES, SUNGLASSES, TINTED AND COLORED LENSES. 
FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT IS SUNLIGHT THAT IS NOT FILTERED THROUGH GLASS, PLASTIC...
ALL EYEGLASS LENSES, CONTACT LENSES SUNGLASSES, TINTED, COLORED LENSES INCLUDING WINDOW GLASS/PLASTIC AT HOME. WORK, IN CARS, BUSES... BLOCKS OUT PART OF THE SUNS LIGHT SPECTRUM CAUSING PARTIAL SPECTRUM, UNBALANCED LIGHT TO ENTER THE EYES.
LIGHT TRAVELS FROM THE EYES TO THE BRAIN, UP AND DOWN THE SPINE TO ALL ORGANS, GLANDS, SYSTEMS, EVERY CELL, PART OF THE BODY.
WHEN THE LIGHT IS UNBALANCED THE EYES, BRAIN AND BODY RECEIVE ABNORMAL LIGHT ENERGY SIGNALS WHICH IMPAIRS THE HEALTH AND FUNCTION OF THE EYES, BRAIN, ALL ORGANS, GLANDS, SYSTEMS, AREAS OF THE BODY.
UNBALANCED, PARTIAL SPECTRUM LIGHT IMPAIRS MELATONIN, SEROTONIN AND OTHER HORMONE/CHEMICAL BALANCE, PRODUCTION IN THE BRAIN/BODY RESULTING IN DISRUPTED SLEEP CYCLE, DEPRESSION, LOWERED MEMORY, IMAGINATION, CONCENTRATION...AND HEALTH IMPAIRMENT.
WHEN FULL SPECTRUM, BALANCED SUNLIGHT ENTERS THE EYES; THE EYES, BRAIN, BODY RECEIVE CORRECT LIGHT ENERGY SIGNALS, FUNCTION CORRECT AND REMAIN HEALTHY.

ARTIFICIAL INDOOR LIGHTS PRODUCE UNBALANCED LIGHT, PROVIDING ONLY PART OF THE SUNS LIGHT SPECTRUM.
WHEN WORKING, READING INDOORS ALWAYS KEEP A OPEN WINDOW WITH SUNLIGHT SHINING INTO THE ROOM.
READING OUTSIDE IN THE SUNLIGHT IS THE PERFECT READING LIGHT.
IF THE SUN IS TOO STRONG READ UNDER A TREE. THE EYES WILL STILL RECEIVE NATURAL FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT THROUGH THE TREE BRANCHES.


AVOID FLUORESCENT LIGHT.
FLUORESCENT LIGHTS ARE MOST HARMFUL TO THE EYES.
THEY PRODUCE VERY UNBALANCED LIGHT WITH EXTREMES IN ONE-TWO LIGHT WAVES, ABNORMAL SHADOW AND CONTRAST, FLICKER AND OTHER UNNATURAL EFFECTS.
THIS STRAINS, CONFUSES THE BRAIN, VISUAL SYSTEM, EYE MUSCLES, EYES CAUSING UNCLEAR EYESIGHT, FATIGUE, TENSION, IMPAIRS COLOR, DEPTH, DISTANCE PERCEPTION AND OTHER FUNCTIONS OF THE VISUAL SYSTEM.

THE CONSTANT FLICKER FLUORESCENT LIGHTS PRODUCE IMPAIRS FUNCTION OF THE EYES IRIS, PUPIL CAUSING IT TO CONSTANTLY CONTRACT, UN-CONTRACT, CONTRACT... WITH EVERY FLICKER OF THE LIGHT.

THIS STRAINS, IMPAIRS FUNCTION OF THE IRIS, PUPIL SIZE/ADJUSTMENT TO LIGHT AND DARK, EYES, EYE MUSCLES, RETINA AND BRAIN.
FLUORESCENT LIGHTS IMPAIR HEALTH AND FUNCTION OF THE EYES, BRAIN AND BODY.

IN 2007 THE PUBLIC IS BEING PRESSURED TO BUY/USE THE NEW SMALL AND LARGER FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS TO CONSERVE ENERGY.
EXPOSURE TO FLUORESCENT LIGHT AT WORK AND AT HOME CAUSES, INCREASES VISION IMPAIRMENT; BLUR, ASTIGMATISM AND LEADS TO OTHER EYE AND HEALTH PROBLEMS.
EXPOSING THE EYES CORNEA, LENS, RETINA TO THIS UNBALANCED LIGHT CAN LEAD TO MACULA DEGENERATION, CATARACTS AND OTHER EYE DISEASE.

FLUORESCENT LIGHTS ALSO EMIT MERCURY VAPOR AND OTHER TOXIC GASES, SUBSTANCES, RADIATION AND EMF'S (ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION).
EMF RADIATION, X-RAYS AND OTHER TOXINS EMITTED FROM FLUORESCENT LIGHTS CAUSE FATIGUE, IMPAIRED CONCENTRATION, STRESS, AND HEALTH, VISION PROBLEMS.
SOME LIGHT BULBS CONTAIN LEAD.

THE PLAIN OLD FASHIONED INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS DO  NOT PRODUCE FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT BUT THEY ARE BETTER FOR THE EYES AND HEALTH BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PRODUCE EXTREMELY UNBALANCED LIGHT WAVES, THEY DO PRODUCE BETTER SHADOW AND CONTRAST AND DO NOT PRODUCE FLICKER, MERCURY VAPOR, RADIATION AND OTHER TOXINS THAT FLUORESCENT LIGHTS PRODUCE.
THEY DO USE MORE ENERGY WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO POLLUTION.
A LOW ENERGY NON FLUORESCENT BULB NEEDS TO BE INVENTED.
SOME LIGHT COMPANIES SELL FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT BULBS BUT THEY ARE HARD TO FIND AND FULL SPECTRUM FLUORESCENT (AND PLAIN FLUORESCENT) BULBS STILL PRODUCE ABNORMAL LIGHT AND BURN OUT PARTIALLY RESULTING IN PRODUCTION OF PARTIAL SPECTRUM LIGHT.
MOST BULBS ADVERTISED AS FULL SPECTRUM ARE NOT TRULY FULL SPECTRUM. 
FULL SPECTRUM FLUORESCENT BULBS STILL EMIT RADIATION, MERCURY AND OTHER TOXINS.
IF FLUORESCENT LIGHTS ARE THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIGHT AT WORK, BRING YOUR OWN INCANDESCENT AND FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTS TO WORK. THIS WILL HELP BRING A MORE BALANCED SPECTRUM OF LIGHT WITH SHADOW, CONTRAST TO THE WORK AREA AND REDUCE THE UNNATURAL EFFECTS OF THE FLUORESCENT LIGHTS. 

COLORED BULBS; PINK, BLUE, RED... PRODUCE VERY UNBALANCED LIGHT.

READ BOOKS BY JOHN OTT; HEALTH AND LIGHT, AND JACOB LIBERMAN; LIGHT MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT AND WHERE TO FIND FULL SPECTRUM, NON FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS.
FULL SPECTRUM BULBS OR A MIXTURE OF INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS WITH SUNLIGHT THROUGH OPEN WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS PROVIDE A GOOD SOURCE OF LIGHT. 
PURE FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT THROUGH OPEN WINDOWS WITHOUT ANY ARTIFICIAL LIGHTS IS THE BEST, HEALTHIEST LIGHT.
WHEN AT HOME, WORK, TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS AND GO OUTSIDE OFTEN AND RECEIVE FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT.
FULL SPECTRUM SUNLIGHT IS THE HEALTHIEST LIGHT FOR THE EYES, BODY.
PRACTICE SUNNING DAILY.   SEE CHAPTER 20, 21, 22, 23 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUNLIGHT.