About the Method

The "Bates method" was originally named in the 1920s. It was developed by ophthalmologist (medical and eye doctor) William H. Bates, M.D., in the early part of the 20th century. Through research and clinical work spanning over 30 years, he gradually found that the conventional route of prescribing glasses was not the best solution to the problem and often only seemed to worsen the condition. He found that virtually all vision problems people suffered from were a result of chronic misuse and strain of the eyes, and that resting the eyes and re-learning to use them correctly again resulted in perfect vision being restored to his patients. The techniques that make up the Bates method are based on the principles of correct eye use that he outlined that have to do with central fixation, movement, relaxation, and normalization.

Since his death, many people have carried on his work in an educational fashion, teaching thousands of people to restore their vision. Though eye doctors' training ignores or dismisses the Bates method, occasionally there are some who find the incredible value in the method as well. Due to the aspects of our society that we are all used to - apathy, capitalism, inertia, politics, and closed-mindedness - the method is still not popularly supported and remains an "alternative" therapy. Fortunately, awareness is steadily growing, and more and more people are finding that they do not need to be condemned to their vision problems or any sort of artificial correction.

More complete information can be found in the books available here, but please email us if you have specific questions that we can help you with.