Can You Improve Your Eyesight? Reflexology says “Yes”.

We generally accept that as we age, our eye function will begin to deteriorate and it’s not uncommon for many of us to start wearing glasses after the age of 40. While taste is the first sense to deteriorate, this is closely followed by our vision. Deterioration in our eyesight may occur as a result of ageing or as a result of an eye illness. Apparently there are 570 of them! Lifestyle and genetics may also play a part and and as a result, certain countries have more eye problems than others.

As we age, the lens in our eyes becomes harder and loses its flexibility to change shape. Hence it becomes harder to focus on objects near to you, such as writing or reading a book. As you reach your 50’s or older, this becomes more pronounced and you may need stronger prescriptions for your glasses. However it has been found that exercise and nutrition, with a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids can help to increase the flexibility of the lens.

Other conditions such as cataracts, where the lens becomes more opaque, and dry eyes where less tears are produced, may present as well. There is also the risk of more serious disorders such as Macular degeneration, glaucoma and Diabetic retinopathy with a serious loss of vision, even blindness. Hence the importance of regular eye checks.

This may all sound very dismal but there is something that you can do to help improve your eyesight and decrease the risk of eye disease and deterioration.

The Bates method of Natural Vision was developed by an ophthalmologist called Dr Bates, a hundred years ago. At the time, he was so successful that his work threatened the livelihood of optometrists and he was banned. Today his method of improving eyesight without glasses, is taught in many countries around the world in Natural Vision workshops. Conventional belief is that the muscles of the eye will become strained with age and lose their optimum function. Stress, both physical and emotional may also contribute to this. The Bates method teaches you to strengthen these muscles by releasing any eye strain, thus relaxing  the eye so that healing can occur.

I actually did one of these workshops a few years ago. Within a week of implementing the techniques, I was able to use the computer without the need for glasses. Unfortunately I didn’t keep it up, so my eyesight deteriorated again. It’s time I went back to my notes and started implementing Dr Bates’ techniques.

There is also another tool that I am using and this is Reflexology!

Chinese medicine believes that behind every eye illness, there is an underlying organ with a dysfunction. Every meridian or energy pathway in the body has an effect on the eye, so in Reflexology every eye condition is classed according to a particular meridian. Chinese medicine therefore, doesn’t support eye surgery as it says that if you operate on the eye, you are not fixing the underlying condition, hence it will return.

Facial reflexology treats the underlying meridian as well as specific nerves and acupuncture points around the eyes. It is especially effective in treating conditions where there is degenerative vision loss. It is important to know a person’s overall health as this may be contributing to their eye condition and this can then be treated too.

Blindness is classified as a person having less than 20% of eye function. So long as there is some degree of vision, eye sight can be improved. An example of this was given to me by my tutor in Ocular therapy. She treated a young boy who was born “blind” and severely disabled from a genetic condition. After extensive treatments from her and his mother, over a period of time the boy completely regained his full eyesight.

A reflexologist friend has also treated a young woman born with Astigmatism in both eyes, where the curvature of the cornea is irregular and objects in the distance appear blurry. After a series of treatments, this woman no longer has the condition in one eye and it has greatly improved in the other.

Prevention of any condition is always preferable and there are many foods that contain beneficial vitamins, minerals and herbs to improve your eyesight. A few of these are blueberries, dark grapes, bilberry, eggs, liver, spinach, beef, eyebright, gingko, garlic, carrots, blackberries, buckwheat, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes and asparagus.

However if your eyes are deteriorating, know that there is something you can do. Regular eye checks are important to look for any serious condition but if your prescription for glasses keeps getting stronger, perhaps take some responsibility for your own health.

There are often alternatives and I, for one, am going to try them.

Let me know how you get on and if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.

With love,

Judy xxx

References: Ocular therapy by Lone Sorensen, www.rebuildyourvision.com, www.allaboutvision.com, www.articles.mercola.com/bates-method-vision-program, www.thebatesmethod.com, www.visioneducators.com, Images by Pixabay

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.