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 eye-sight, 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, unaccommodation, 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 through 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. 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.
Dedication to My Mom
To Mrs. Nancy Oliver, Wilder. For raising me
alone without a father, working for minimum
wage in a hot laundry mat for years while we
lived in a small apartment. We often did not have
enough food. I would sneak outside and dig for
empty soda bottles to cash in for money to buy
crackers. I remember the day a man at the
recycling store yelled at me, stating I cannot
bring him bottles from the trash! Men would be
cruel to Mom, try to corrupt her, but she would
not break from her Catholic faith and favorite
Saint, St. Anne. Mom saved her money and
bought a Art Instruction Schools Course for me
when I was 7 years old.
(The school that is advertised on matchbook
covers and in TV Guide.) I remember thinking
how boring it was to draw the stick figures of
people, thinking its not helping my ability to
draw and I wanted to go back to just copying
cartoon pictures of Moose Miller, Fred
Flintstone, Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Popeye,
Dr. Strange… from the comics. I now realize at
age 53 that the course helped me to draw the
pictures in Better Eyesight Magazine and other
books.
My Aunt Betty is a very good artist, used to
draw lifelike pictures of baseball players, boxers,
my grandfather when he was a Middle Weight
Champion Boxer, Police Sergeant in New
England, Massachusetts. She also drew cartoons
and now paints. She helped to teach me how to
draw. I cannot draw as well as most artists,
but the basic skills helped to create this book.
The Author’s Experience with Natural Eyesight
Improvement
In 4th grade Elementary School I had to wear
eyeglasses to see the blackboard from the back
of the classroom. Mom bought the eyeglasses for
me though she could not afford to spend the
money. Stress can cause unclear vision. I was in
constant fear at school due to a large boy that
would bully me every day, wait to scare me,
threaten to beat me up after school at the end of
a long dirt road. I can still see him standing
there, picking out kids to bully, knowing I was
next along the line.
I do not remember him actually hitting me,
mainly just coming up to me and acting like he
was going to in order to scare me. Frazzled my
nerves daily. During childhood and adult life I
was hit in the head, face a few times by other
children and adult men. (Snow, ice balls, and
violent people.) I know this contributed to
unclear vision, and a very slight wandering eyes
condition. Neck vertebrae, collarbone or skull,
eye socket, joints, bones misalignment?
My teacher also wore glasses. Children pick up
eyestrain, incorrect use of the eyes, tension and
lowered vision from being around people that
wear glasses and stressful experiences in school
... I hated the glasses and threw them out in a
couple weeks. I sat closer to the blackboard and
this prevented strain, effort to see and the vision
returned to clear. I could then see clear from the
back of the class when necessary. Mom made
friends with the bully’s family, then he decided
to be my friend. We played ‘The Long Ranger’
make believe game together.
Mom could not afford to pay for the glasses but
was kind and let me go without wearing glasses.
My vision remained about 20/20-20/40 for years
and it never bothered me. (Wish I knew The
Bates Method back then, would have had 20/20
and clearer vision.)
In 10th grade high school Mom had to buy
glasses for me again to read the distant
blackboard in school. Learning Algebra and
French, did not like these subjects. I threw the
glasses out after 2 days. At this time I found
Aldous Huxley’s book: ‘The Art of Seeing’ in a
old bookstore in Brookfield, MA and practiced
Switching and Shifting on objects at close and
far distances with: both eyes together, one eye at
a time, both eyes together again. My left eye
needed more vision improvement than the right
so I practiced extra time with the left eye.
Shifting was combined with the Switching. I
understood and practiced a little Central-
Fixation. The first time, few seconds that I
shifted on an object, distant tree, my vision
improved. Within only 5 minutes my vision
improved to 20/20 and in 2 days was perfect,
clear. Vision was so clear in both eyes that I
could not remember which eye used to have less
clear vision. My mind felt more balanced,
relaxed. It is often easy for children, young
people to improve their vision.
Practicing the Bates Method, having the power
to improve my vision on my own resulted in an
improvement in my mental, emotional state. It
was easy to learn, remember at school, my
grades improved, I gained confidence. The Bates
Method activates, integrates, improves functions
of the left and right brain hemispheres, all brain
functions. I left a gang of kids that were a
destructive influence and learned to have
compassion for others and respect myself. I
realized the mind has more functions, abilities,
‘power’ than we are taught in school, including
college. Went into study of Psycho-Cybernetics,
other science and spiritual subjects. (Human
potential seems to be suppressed by our leaders.
Politicians and some religions are trying to
remove history and other books from libraries,
bookstores, schools, the Internet.)
My vision remained about 20/20-20/30 for years
and it never bothered me. Mainly 20/20,
sometimes clearer.
In the U.S. Army I was forced to wear glasses:
distant eyesight 20/40 at times. (It’s normal for
vision to fluctuate. Glasses prevent natural
fluctuation back to clear vision.) I refused to
wear the glasses. One day while in a foxhole
shooting my rifle at the distant target, the
Sergeant made me wear the glasses. I could not
hit the target after many shots while wearing the
glasses. I got mad and took off the glasses and
threw them in the dirt. Then aimed the rifle and
hit the target easily for the remaining shots.
Sargent then allowed me to permanently
discontinue use of the glasses.
Did not need glasses for the rest of my life until
age 40, Year 1997 – unclear close vision – In the
year 1995 the author of this book was listening
to Robert Monroe’s relaxation tapes. I worked a
very high stress job in a old hotel dealing with
violent, abusive people, life and death situations.
I suffered with dizziness from an assault, neck
injury. Drank too much beer at times to block
out the stress. The tapes produced a great
amount of relaxation and also teach a variety of
tools to improve function of the brain, body. At
the time I was reading Aldous Huxley’s book
‘The Art of Seeing’ to try and improve my close
vision & remove eye floaters at age 40.
Practiced Bates Method activities: shifting,
central-fixation, switching... at close distances.
Also read fine print in the sunlight with
relaxation, shifting, central-fixation, memory,
imagination. It worked!
One night after falling asleep listening to
Monroe’s tape ‘Focus 10’, I heard a man’s voice
in a dream say; “Write a book on Natural
Eyesight Improvement”. The dream seemed
very real and it woke me up. I remembered the
man's voice and thought later that it would be a
good idea to write a book on my experience with
distant and close vision improvement for 30
years. I began writing the book: ‘Do It Yourself
– Natural Eyesight Improvement’ and searching
for more Bates Method Natural Vision
Improvement books to study. This led me to
teachings of Janet Goodrich, Martin Sussman-
Cambridge Institute-The Program for Better
Vision course, Carrie Anderson training at the
Learning Annex, then in person training course
and books by Thomas Quackenbush in San
Francisco, CA, and further study of Dr. Bates
Better Eyesight Magazines and other books.
Distant and close vision improved to 20/20 and
clearer.
Robert Monroe’s tapes teach spiritual
development, spirit travel and improvement of
brain, body functions and produce natural states
taught by Natural Vision Improvement Teachers:
Deep, perfect relaxation in the beta, alpha, theta,
delta brain wave states, dynamic relaxation, left
and right brain hemisphere activation/
integration, visualization of clear mental
pictures, color treatment, creativity, imagination,
memory, release of negative thoughts, emotions,
energy strengthening, circulation, control. The
activities on the tapes improve all functions of
the brain. All of these conditions improve the
clarity of vision. Listening to his tapes improved
my ability to write and create pictures for this
book. Many famous scientists, artists speak of
entering into a deep relaxed state, contacting the
subconscious mind to obtain greater power of
the brain, improve skills, solve scientific
theories, formulas… Monroe’s tapes activate
this state. (See books by Dion Fortune for
further study.)
In Oct., 2009 I experienced a neck injury from a
dishonest, inefficient chiropractor in Worcester,
MA and it affected my vision: double vision,
eyes divergence, converge, balance, hearing
impaired, astigmatism... All from misaligned
neck vertebrae and neck, back injury. Neck is
healing with new doctor’s treatment for 15
months and use of Natural Eyesight
Improvement, Bates Method has returned the
vision to clear. Occasional slight fluctuations in
vision to 20/30 and eye movement problem
returns a little when the neck injury flares up,
sinus congestion in air polluted city. Neck
muscle relaxation, Physical Therapy, Home ‘do
it yourself’ noninvasive chiropractic, Clean air
in Boston, MA by the Sea, less computer work,
and The Bates Method always returns the vision
to 20/20 and clearer. Vision remains clear at age
54. I know from experience that The Bates
Method works!
http://cleareyesight-batesmethod.info/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/thebasicsofnaturaleyesightimprovement.pdf
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 eye-sight, 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, unaccommodation, 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 through 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. 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.
Dedication to My Mom
To Mrs. Nancy Oliver, Wilder. For raising me
alone without a father, working for minimum
wage in a hot laundry mat for years while we
lived in a small apartment. We often did not have
enough food. I would sneak outside and dig for
empty soda bottles to cash in for money to buy
crackers. I remember the day a man at the
recycling store yelled at me, stating I cannot
bring him bottles from the trash! Men would be
cruel to Mom, try to corrupt her, but she would
not break from her Catholic faith and favorite
Saint, St. Anne. Mom saved her money and
bought a Art Instruction Schools Course for me
when I was 7 years old.
(The school that is advertised on matchbook
covers and in TV Guide.) I remember thinking
how boring it was to draw the stick figures of
people, thinking its not helping my ability to
draw and I wanted to go back to just copying
cartoon pictures of Moose Miller, Fred
Flintstone, Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Popeye,
Dr. Strange… from the comics. I now realize at
age 53 that the course helped me to draw the
pictures in Better Eyesight Magazine and other
books.
My Aunt Betty is a very good artist, used to
draw lifelike pictures of baseball players, boxers,
my grandfather when he was a Middle Weight
Champion Boxer, Police Sergeant in New
England, Massachusetts. She also drew cartoons
and now paints. She helped to teach me how to
draw. I cannot draw as well as most artists,
but the basic skills helped to create this book.
The Author’s Experience with Natural Eyesight
Improvement
In 4th grade Elementary School I had to wear
eyeglasses to see the blackboard from the back
of the classroom. Mom bought the eyeglasses for
me though she could not afford to spend the
money. Stress can cause unclear vision. I was in
constant fear at school due to a large boy that
would bully me every day, wait to scare me,
threaten to beat me up after school at the end of
a long dirt road. I can still see him standing
there, picking out kids to bully, knowing I was
next along the line.
I do not remember him actually hitting me,
mainly just coming up to me and acting like he
was going to in order to scare me. Frazzled my
nerves daily. During childhood and adult life I
was hit in the head, face a few times by other
children and adult men. (Snow, ice balls, and
violent people.) I know this contributed to
unclear vision, and a very slight wandering eyes
condition. Neck vertebrae, collarbone or skull,
eye socket, joints, bones misalignment?
My teacher also wore glasses. Children pick up
eyestrain, incorrect use of the eyes, tension and
lowered vision from being around people that
wear glasses and stressful experiences in school
... I hated the glasses and threw them out in a
couple weeks. I sat closer to the blackboard and
this prevented strain, effort to see and the vision
returned to clear. I could then see clear from the
back of the class when necessary. Mom made
friends with the bully’s family, then he decided
to be my friend. We played ‘The Long Ranger’
make believe game together.
Mom could not afford to pay for the glasses but
was kind and let me go without wearing glasses.
My vision remained about 20/20-20/40 for years
and it never bothered me. (Wish I knew The
Bates Method back then, would have had 20/20
and clearer vision.)
In 10th grade high school Mom had to buy
glasses for me again to read the distant
blackboard in school. Learning Algebra and
French, did not like these subjects. I threw the
glasses out after 2 days. At this time I found
Aldous Huxley’s book: ‘The Art of Seeing’ in a
old bookstore in Brookfield, MA and practiced
Switching and Shifting on objects at close and
far distances with: both eyes together, one eye at
a time, both eyes together again. My left eye
needed more vision improvement than the right
so I practiced extra time with the left eye.
Shifting was combined with the Switching. I
understood and practiced a little Central-
Fixation. The first time, few seconds that I
shifted on an object, distant tree, my vision
improved. Within only 5 minutes my vision
improved to 20/20 and in 2 days was perfect,
clear. Vision was so clear in both eyes that I
could not remember which eye used to have less
clear vision. My mind felt more balanced,
relaxed. It is often easy for children, young
people to improve their vision.
Practicing the Bates Method, having the power
to improve my vision on my own resulted in an
improvement in my mental, emotional state. It
was easy to learn, remember at school, my
grades improved, I gained confidence. The Bates
Method activates, integrates, improves functions
of the left and right brain hemispheres, all brain
functions. I left a gang of kids that were a
destructive influence and learned to have
compassion for others and respect myself. I
realized the mind has more functions, abilities,
‘power’ than we are taught in school, including
college. Went into study of Psycho-Cybernetics,
other science and spiritual subjects. (Human
potential seems to be suppressed by our leaders.
Politicians and some religions are trying to
remove history and other books from libraries,
bookstores, schools, the Internet.)
My vision remained about 20/20-20/30 for years
and it never bothered me. Mainly 20/20,
sometimes clearer.
In the U.S. Army I was forced to wear glasses:
distant eyesight 20/40 at times. (It’s normal for
vision to fluctuate. Glasses prevent natural
fluctuation back to clear vision.) I refused to
wear the glasses. One day while in a foxhole
shooting my rifle at the distant target, the
Sergeant made me wear the glasses. I could not
hit the target after many shots while wearing the
glasses. I got mad and took off the glasses and
threw them in the dirt. Then aimed the rifle and
hit the target easily for the remaining shots.
Sargent then allowed me to permanently
discontinue use of the glasses.
Did not need glasses for the rest of my life until
age 40, Year 1997 – unclear close vision – In the
year 1995 the author of this book was listening
to Robert Monroe’s relaxation tapes. I worked a
very high stress job in a old hotel dealing with
violent, abusive people, life and death situations.
I suffered with dizziness from an assault, neck
injury. Drank too much beer at times to block
out the stress. The tapes produced a great
amount of relaxation and also teach a variety of
tools to improve function of the brain, body. At
the time I was reading Aldous Huxley’s book
‘The Art of Seeing’ to try and improve my close
vision & remove eye floaters at age 40.
Practiced Bates Method activities: shifting,
central-fixation, switching... at close distances.
Also read fine print in the sunlight with
relaxation, shifting, central-fixation, memory,
imagination. It worked!
One night after falling asleep listening to
Monroe’s tape ‘Focus 10’, I heard a man’s voice
in a dream say; “Write a book on Natural
Eyesight Improvement”. The dream seemed
very real and it woke me up. I remembered the
man's voice and thought later that it would be a
good idea to write a book on my experience with
distant and close vision improvement for 30
years. I began writing the book: ‘Do It Yourself
– Natural Eyesight Improvement’ and searching
for more Bates Method Natural Vision
Improvement books to study. This led me to
teachings of Janet Goodrich, Martin Sussman-
Cambridge Institute-The Program for Better
Vision course, Carrie Anderson training at the
Learning Annex, then in person training course
and books by Thomas Quackenbush in San
Francisco, CA, and further study of Dr. Bates
Better Eyesight Magazines and other books.
Distant and close vision improved to 20/20 and
clearer.
Robert Monroe’s tapes teach spiritual
development, spirit travel and improvement of
brain, body functions and produce natural states
taught by Natural Vision Improvement Teachers:
Deep, perfect relaxation in the beta, alpha, theta,
delta brain wave states, dynamic relaxation, left
and right brain hemisphere activation/
integration, visualization of clear mental
pictures, color treatment, creativity, imagination,
memory, release of negative thoughts, emotions,
energy strengthening, circulation, control. The
activities on the tapes improve all functions of
the brain. All of these conditions improve the
clarity of vision. Listening to his tapes improved
my ability to write and create pictures for this
book. Many famous scientists, artists speak of
entering into a deep relaxed state, contacting the
subconscious mind to obtain greater power of
the brain, improve skills, solve scientific
theories, formulas… Monroe’s tapes activate
this state. (See books by Dion Fortune for
further study.)
In Oct., 2009 I experienced a neck injury from a
dishonest, inefficient chiropractor in Worcester,
MA and it affected my vision: double vision,
eyes divergence, converge, balance, hearing
impaired, astigmatism... All from misaligned
neck vertebrae and neck, back injury. Neck is
healing with new doctor’s treatment for 15
months and use of Natural Eyesight
Improvement, Bates Method has returned the
vision to clear. Occasional slight fluctuations in
vision to 20/30 and eye movement problem
returns a little when the neck injury flares up,
sinus congestion in air polluted city. Neck
muscle relaxation, Physical Therapy, Home ‘do
it yourself’ noninvasive chiropractic, Clean air
in Boston, MA by the Sea, less computer work,
and The Bates Method always returns the vision
to 20/20 and clearer. Vision remains clear at age
54. I know from experience that The Bates
Method works!
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