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Everything Old Is New Again:
Rebuilding Your Vision
Glasses, contacts, or surgery. These
are the usual choices offered to those of us with
bad vision. Orlin Sorensen, though, needed an alternative.
A commercial airline pilot who found himself in
jeopardy of being downsized after the 9/11 tragedies,
Sorensen decided to go for broke and pursue his
lifelong dream of becoming a Navy fighter pilot.
The only catch was that Navy fighter candidates
were required to have near-perfect, uncorrected
vision -- no surgery allowed.
As for so many who seek different
medical options, it was word of mouth that led Sorensen
down a different path: a fellow pilot suggested
eye exercises to naturally correct vision. Turns
out, the exercises weren't so much the "road
not taken" as the "road not taken in a
while." Sorensen's research revealed that natural
vision training, in fact, had been around for almost
a century.
Natural vision correction involves
performing eye exercises and relaxation techniques
daily to increase optical muscle strength and coordination.
With a 30-minute daily routine, after just a month
Sorensen improved his vision from 20/85 to 20/20;
he went on to pass the Navy's visual acuity test.
In 2001, he founded a company, Vision for Life,
to share his knowledge with the general public and
to challenge the widespread belief that surgery
is the only method of correcting vision. As more
and more people turn to alternative medicine --
one in three people in the U.S., according to the
New England Journal of Medicine -- Sorensen's company
has proven to be visionary in more ways than one.
A wholistic orientation to health
Watching TV, computer use, reliance
on optical correction from glasses and contacts,
as well as the normal aging process, all contribute
to weak and distorted vision. Integral components
of the eye are not stimulated but instead suffer
from a narrow range of use, in the same way that
repetitive mousing and typing tasks on the computer
can lead to tendonitis in the arm and, eventually,
carpal tunnel. Just as you exercise your body at
the gym or practice yoga in order to improve muscle
tone, agility, range of motion, and flexibility,
so too do the eyes benefit from daily exercise.
Designed to reverse the stresses placed upon the
optical system, the vision-rebuilding process fortifies
your eyes in ways that would never be achieved through
normal daily activities.
Sorensen's Vision for Life program
provides multilevel goals and strengthening tools
that challenge and stimulate different parts of
the visual system. Customized training programs
are available for those suffering from nearsightedness,
astigmatism, and aging vision (presbyopia). The
program's simple drills and exercises can be done
at home, in the office, or on the road, thus enabling
the practitioner to integrate them as part of an
overall healthy lifestyle. It's no accident that
Sorensen is from Seattle, a city surrounded by natural
beauty whose residents are perennially voted as
some of America's fittest.
An idea takes flight
Not only has Vision for Life become
a success -- according to surveys from customers
worldwide, the program boasts over a 90% success
rate in improving vision problems -- but the medical
establishment has also done research supporting
the theories that the program is based upon, as
in this excerpt from the Journal of the American
Optometric Association describing the results
of subjects who underwent natural vision training:
"Subjects often stated that they had experienced
the ability to make eye contact (without correction)
with people across a room or street; they could
see buildings and windows clearly without glasses
many miles across San Francisco Bay, or in the case
of high-diopter myopes (> -4.0 diopters) they
were able to read books easily at arm's length."
Unlike eye surgery, natural vision
correction is noninvasive and risk-free. And unlike
glasses or contacts, it an active process rather
than a palliative measure. So it's no wonder vision
rebuilding seems to strike a chord with health-conscious
people today, who are increasingly choosing organic
foods over fast foods, meditation over confrontation,
and lifestyle changes over potentially harmful quick
fixes. Ironic, but sometimes we need to take the
long view to really appreciate what we're seeing.
To learn more about the Vision for
Life program please visit their website at rebuildyourvision.com.
"My
overall vision has improved
during the 30 day
course which I've just completed. Consequently,
I no longer need glasses for reading and the computer..."
-Steve Cooper
Getting
old is inevitable, but losing your vision doesn't
have
to be. Presbyopia,
or "aging vision," as it is commonly
referred to,
is the hardening of the lens and tightening of
the eye muscles
associated with aging. more
>>>
If
you need a nightlight to find your way to the
kitchen for a
midnight snack, or have difficulty seeing while
driving in the
evening, you may be suffering from a condition
known as "night
blindness." more
>>>
Essential
Vision Tip: An Easy Way to Relieve Damaging Eyestrain
Caused by Computers and Reading
The
human eye is not meant to spend hours focusing at
objects close to it. It is naturally in a
relaxed state when looking at something at further
distances, approximately 7 feet and beyond.
Research
has shown that long hours spent on a computer or
reading can lead to permanent damage
caused by this near-point stress. Think
about all the people you know that wear glasses.
Most
likely they are either avid students, readers, computer
users, or spend long durations viewing
objects close to them.
A
simple way to relieve stress in the eye is called
the Distant Night Exercise. Heres
how it works:
1.
Sit down in a chair and place your elbows on your
knees or a table.
2.
Face your palms toward your face and slightly cup
the lower portion of your hands while keeping your
fingers straight.
3.
Place your eyes in the cups of your hands, which
should gently rest above and below the bone surrounding
your eye and cheek. No portion of your hand should
touch your eyeball, but it is alright if your eyelashes
brush against your palm. The fingers of both hands
should slightly overlap resting near the center
top of
your forehead. With your eyes open, be sure there
is no light entering into your eyes.
4.
While maintaining this position, relax and close
your eyes while you imagine youre looking
into the
distant night. Remember, your eyes are relaxed as
they look out at a distance the purpose of
this exercise.
5. As you focus into the distance you should feel
a reduction in eyestrain caused by the near point
activity.
For
more vision tips and ways to improve and preserve
your vision click
here.
Essential
Vision Tip: Cant Read Those Small Print Webpages?
For
those of you who can't read the words on your computer
screen without wearing glasses, there's a quick
and easy way to increase the size of the text on
any web page you go to. The catch is that you need
to have
a roller wheel on your mouse that scrolls up and
down the page. This type of mouse is available at
any office
supply or computer store.
On
any web page you visit, press and hold the "Ctrl"
button while scrolling the roller wheel down as
if you
were scrolling down the page. Each roller wheel
click will increase the text size by one font point.
To reduce
the text size back to normal, just hold the "Ctrl"
button on your keyboard while scrolling the roller
wheel upward!
For
those of you without a roller wheel on your mouse,
you can increase the text size by doing the following:
1)
Open your web browser.
2) Click "View" in the upper left corner.
3) Select "Text Size" and then select
"larger" or "largest".
4) To return to the original size, perform the preceding
steps and select "medium" or "small"
accordingly.
*Note
- This only works with Internet Explorer Browsers.
For Netscape or Mozilla browsers, press the "Ctrl"
key simultaneously with the + or - symbols to increase
and decrease text size.
For
more great info on how to improve your vision naturally
without glasses, contacts, or surgery click
here.
Essential
Vision Tip: Save Your Eyesight from the Damaging
Effects of Computer Use with the 10-10-10 Rule.
Here
we remind you of a simple way you can reduce damaging
near point stress associated with reading,
watching television, and computer use.
Every
time you are performing close vision work for over
10 consecutive minutes, look up and focus
on anything that is at least 10 feet away, for at
least 10 seconds. 10-10-10...
Incorporate
this into everything you do up close. This technique,
along with a few more simple
ones just like it can help to save your vision for
years to come!
For
more information on the 10-10-10 rule and how it
works click
here.
Essential
Vision Tip: The 4 Nutrients Your Eyes Really Need.
From
Lasik to Lutein it seems everywhere you look there
is a new product or procedure touting vision
enhancement. Here are a few nutrients that play
an important role in the health of your eye.
1.
Vitamin A
Are carrots really good for your eyes or is that
something parents said just to get kids to eat their
vegetables?
Actually,
it's true. Carrots contain a high level of vitamin
A, which is very good for your eyes.
It helps reduce the risk of cataracts. Vitamin A
is found in many orange, red, and yellow fruits
and vegetables and in leafy green vegetables.
2.
Lutein
Lutein
is a carotenoid that your body turns into an anti-oxidant.
Lutein is the primary carotenoid
located in the center of the retina, called the
macula.
Six
mg. of lutein has been shown to reduce the risk
of macular degeneration by nearly 57%. A similar
study showed that a diet low in lutein greatly increased
the chance of developing cataracts. It benefits
the overall health of the eye and has even been
linked to reducing the hardening and narrowing of
arteries.
There
is currently no recommended daily allowance (RDA)
for lutein, but the preventative effects stated
above resulted from 6 mg. of lutein per day. With
the busy lives we lead today, it is pretty hard
to get
6 mg. per day from food sources, which is where
a good supplement can come in.
3.
Vitamin C
It
seems vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant for
just about everything these days - and it deserves
mention in the benefits it has in protecting your
eyesight.
Vitamin
C has been linked to the prevention of cataracts,
the delay of macular degeneration, and eye
pressure reduction in glaucoma patients. Add all
these benefits to the seemingly endless other benefits
that vitamin C has been linked to for our overall
health: it is a Vitamin you do not want to be without.
The
U.S. RDA for vitamin C is 60 mg. for both men and
women. It does not stay in the body very long so
it needs to be constantly replenished to obtain
the benefits.
4.
Bilberry
Researchers
found that bilberry appear to fortify blood vessel
walls, improving blood flow to the tiny
blood vessels that keep eyes healthy and functioning
properly, as well as to larger blood vessels that
help maintain good circulation throughout the body.
It also has been shown to help prevent macular
degeneration and cataracts.
There
is no RDA for this herb, but studies suggest that
80-160 mg. of the standardized extract is
the amount needed to obtain the above-mentioned
benefits.
For
more great information on improving and preserving
your eyesight naturally click
here.
Essential Vision Tip: 6 Keys to Choosing a Pair
of Sunglasses that Will Really Protect Your Eyes
1)
Look for a label that tells you how much UV protection
the sunglasses offer. Ideally, your shades
should block 99% to 100% of UV radiation. You may
also choose eyewear that meets the Australian Standard
AS1067. This means that the glasses will block 95
per cent of UV radiation.
2)
Close-fitting sunglasses help block light more effectively:
look for wraparound shades or large lenses.
3)
Dark colored sunglasses don't necessarily protect
you better. It's a special coating on the lens that
makes them safe, not their darkness.
4)
Gray, green, and brown lenses usually give better
protection than other colors.
5)
Brimmed hats can block at least half of UV radiation
from reaching the eyes.
6)
More expensive shades may be more fashionable, but
they don't necessarily provide more protection.
To
learn more about improving and preserving your eyesight
naturally click
here.
Essential Vision Tip: 8 Tips to Remember When
Choosing Sunglasses that Will Protect Against Snowblindness
"Snow
blindness" (photokeratitis) is sunburn damage
to the cornea of the eye caused by UV radiation.
This painful condition can be associated with temporary
vision loss for up to 48 hours. It is thought
that UV exposure may contribute to other eye conditions
including cataracts, pterygium and age-related
macular degeneration.
Suggestions
on protecting your eyes include:
1)
Yellow or brown tinted lenses are more effective
at counteracting the 'blue' glare on snow.
2)
Look for a label that tells you how much UV protection
the sunglasses offer. Ideally, your shades
should block 99% to 100% of UV radiation. You may
also choose eyewear that meets the Australian
3)
Standard AS1067. This means that the glasses will
block 95 per cent of UV radiation.
4)
Close-fitting sunglasses help block light more effectively:
look for wraparound shades or large lenses.
5)
Dark colored sunglasses don't necessarily protect
you better. It's a special coating on the lens that
makes them safe, not their darkness.
6)
Brimmed hats can block at least half of UV radiation
from reaching the eyes.
7)
More expensive shades may be more fashionable, but
they don't necessarily provide more protection.
8)
Sunglasses and goggles can be fitted with prescription
lenses, if necessary. See your optometrist for
more information.
Want
to learn more about improving your vision naturally?
Click
here.
Essential
Vision Tip: Smoking and Your Eyes
The
chemicals in cigarettes can harm the most sensitive
part of the retina, called the macula. Your vision
can be irreversibly damaged when cells of the macula
die or tiny blood vessels burst through it.
Click
Here to Learn How to Improve Your Vision Naturally,
Without Glasses, Contacts, or Surgery.
Essential Vision Tip: 4 Tips to See Better at Night
1.
Choose glasses with an anti-reflective coating to
reduce glare.
2.
Keep glasses-including sunglasses-clean. Having
dirt on the inside or outside of your lenses can
disturb
the filtering of light and scatter it, making it
more difficult to see and increasing an already
existing
vision problem.
3.
Keep your car windshield and car windows clean-inside
and out. Having dirt and debris on your windshield
makes it harder to see, especially at night.
4.
While driving at night, avoid looking at oncoming
car lights head-on; instead, try to look to the
side
of the lights in order to minimize glare. If your
night vision is really poor, you may want to avoid
driving
at night altogether.
Want
to learn easy eye exercises that have amazing success
improving your vision? Click
here
Essential
Vision Tip: 5 Tips for Relieving Dry Eyes.
1.
Drink at least six 8-oz glasses of water to stay
hydrated.
2.
Looking at a computer screen causes your blink rate
to decrease. If you spend long hours in front of
the
computer, remember to blink at regular intervals
to keep eyes moist.
3.
Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from drying wind.
4.
Consider using a humidifier to moisten dry air.
5.
Ask you doctor to recommend a quality eye drop to
keep your eyes moist.
Click
Here to Learn How to Improve Your Vision
Naturally, Without Glasses, Contacts, or Surgery.
Essential
Vision Tip: Flaxseed Oil for Dry Eyes
Some
eye care providers recommend flaxseed oil as a nutritional
supplement for treating dry eye, caused by
factors such as living in an arid climate. (Flaxseed
oil of course should be taken orally, and never
applied
directly to the eye).
Flaxseed
oil contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids thought
to help restore the oily portion of a tear film
that
moistens the eye. Studies indicate positive results,
though the remedy does not work for everyone.
Some
researchers say including fish oil as a supplement
makes flaxseed oil even more effective. For optimal
results, you should use the freshest possible sources
of flaxseed oil.
Dry
eye symptoms include a sensation of having grit
or a foreign object in the eye. If symptoms persist,
make sure you contact an eye care provider who might
recommend other, more traditional remedies.
Click
here for more info on how to improve and
restore your vision naturally.
Essential Vision Tip: Your Vision and Driving
The
Canadian Journal of Optometry says a driver's side
or peripheral vision decreases by about 25% at
speeds of 100 kilometers per hour (about 62 miles
per hour).
A
driver's peripheral vision is particularly important
because of the way a motor vehicle is operated.
As an example, the California Department of Motor
Vehicles notes that drivers often use their rearview
mirrors for navigating but must depend on peripheral
or side vision to continue monitoring traffic conditions
straight ahead of them. Peripheral vision also is
needed for observing boundaries of lanes on busy
freeways.
Click
here to learn how to improve and restore
your vision without glasses, contacts or surgery.
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