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Defective Vision
Defective vision is a common problem nowadays.
The main reasons for eye defects are reading in bad light
(either too dim or excessively bright ), excessive reading,
reading in moving trains,buses or cars, watching too much
television, seeing too many films, and eating artificial
food. The popular belief that the use of spectacles can rectify
all cases of defective vision is based on the assumption
that such defects are caused by permanent changes in the
eyes. This assumption is not correct as defective vision
results from functional derangements which can be rectified
by simple natural methods of treatment.
Persons who are prescribed
glasses are told that they should avoid taking them off because
of the danger of eye strain and that they should always look
straight through the centre of the lens. So, when looking
in other directions they do not move their eye balls and
eye muscles as is natural, but instead move head up and down
or sideways. Thus, constant use of glasses throws the whole
natural process of vision out of gear and causes ‘parking’ of
the eyes. Gradually, the muscles of the eyes degenerate through
non-use. Moreover, the use of glasses results in a reduction
of blinking which is a movement intended to assist and preserve
eye sight. Wearing glasses for many years results in stiff,
dull-looking eyes without any sparkle.
Causes
The three chief causes of defective vision are mental strain,
wrong diet and improper blood and nerve supply.
i. Mental strain : Dr.
W.H. Bates, the founder of revolutionary methods of eye
treatment, considers mental strain to be the cause of
all defects of vision, which puts corresponding physical
strain on the eyes , their muscles and nerves. In his
opinion the lesser defects are mainly due to mental strain
owing to over work, fear, anxiety, etc. In pursuance
of this theory, Dr. Bates has concentrated his efforts
on methods of treatment which will remove the condition
of mental strain.
ii. Wrong Feeding : The
eye is a part of the body and as such must share in any
condition affecting the system. Most of the diseases
affecting the eyes are symptoms of a general toxemic
condition of the body due mainly to excessive starch,
sugar and protein ingestion. The muscles and blood vessels
surrounding the eyes share in the clogging process
taking place over the body due to improper metabolism
caused by an imbalanced and too-concentrated diet.
iii. Improper blood and nerve supply : The
eyes need to be properly supplied with blood and nerve
force for proper vision. Any factor capable of interfering
either with the blood vessels or with the nerves of the
eyes could cause defective vision. The muscles covering
the upper portion of the spine at the back of the neck
are the main seat of the mechanical interference with
the blood and nerve supply to the eyes.
The Cure
Eye exercise : The following
exercises will loosen the strained and contracted muscles
surrounding the eyes :
i. Keep your head still and relaxed. Gently move the
eyes up and down six times. Repeat the same movement
twice or thrice at two-second intervals The eyes should
move slowly and regularly as far down as possible and
then as far up as possible.
ii. Move the eyes from side to
side as far as possible, without any force or effort
six times. Repeat two or three times.
iii. Hold the index finger
of your right hand about eight inches in front of the
eyes, then look from the finger to any other large object
ten or more feet away - the door or window will do. Look
from one to the other ten times. Do this exercise fairly
rapidly.
iv. Move the eyes up gently and slowly in a circle,
then move them low in the reverse direction . Do this
four times in all. Rest for a second and repeat the movements
two or three times, using minimum efforts. All eye muscle
exercises should be performed while seated in a comfortable
position.
Neck Exercises : Rotate
the neck.
a. in circles and semi circles.
b. move the shoulders clockwise
and anti-clockwise briskly, drawing them up as far as possible
several times,
c. allow the head to draw forward and backward as far
as possible,
d. Turn the head to the right and left as far as possible
several times. These exercises help to loosen up contracted
neck muscles which may restrict blood supply to the head.
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