Proposed in the 1920s by the Ophthalmologist Dr. William Bates, the Bates Method, is the idea that the refractive errors of the eye, like near/far sightedness, astigmatism, myopia, etc, are caused by rigidity of the eyeball muscles, making it difficult for it to adequately modify it’s shape for gazing. Alleviating the muscles off this strain is what could promptly improve eyesight. Bates also attributed altered blood circulation, which he concluded is primarily controlled by thought, causes more serious conditions like glaucoma. Bates saw eye corrective lenses as “eye crutches” and is therefore an obstacle to proper restoration of vision.
Eye movement exercises
The Bates eye exercises and eye tests consists of mental visualizations of swinging objects in minute distances. Bates believed that the smaller the distance one can imagine, like swinging very small letters or even a period, one can attain the “Universal Swing” and thus improve vision. Bernarr Macfadden simplified the eye exercises a bit by recommending to directly move the eyes horizontally and vertically, and alternate one’s gaze near and far.
Modern research have effortlessly concluded that there are no evidence that these method improved eyesight. Bates’ analysis do not follow what is known with the anatomy and the physiology of vision.
Common sense should come to to play. When your eyes are tired from excessive strain, like staring at the computer, take an eye break. What seems to help are focusing exercises: focus on things at further distances. Encourage your eyes and its mechanism to do it’s job.