What: Better Eyesight: The Complete Magazines of William H. Bates, edited by Thomas R. Quackenbush (North Atlantic Books, 2000): the monthly magazine William Bates published from 1919 to 1930. We review it as history: the Bates method it promotes is not supported by evidence.
Who: William H. Bates, a New York ophthalmologist (biography); compiled by Thomas R. Quackenbush.
Core Idea: Bates’s theory that poor eyesight comes from strain, and the exercises he promoted to relieve it.
Our View: A primary source for anyone interested in the history of eye-exercise movements. Not a guide to follow: its central claims have not held up.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to the Book
- About the Author
- Key Themes
- What the Book Covers
- Techniques in the Book
- What the Evidence Says
- Pros and Cons
- Conclusion and Final Thoughts
- FAQs
Introduction to the Book
Better Eyesight: The Complete Magazines of William H. Bates collects the magazine William Bates wrote and published after his method appeared in 1920. The Bates method was proposed in 1920 and is not supported by evidence (AAO; overview). Read today, the magazines show how the method was promoted, which readers it attracted, and why eye-care organizations rejected it. (Bibliographic details: Open Library.)
About the Author
William H. Bates (1860–1931) practised as an ophthalmologist in New York. His theory that the eye focuses by changing its shape through outer muscles, rather than through the lens, contradicted the established science of his time and was not confirmed later. Thomas R. Quackenbush, who edited this collection, teaches the Bates method.
Key Themes
The book’s main themes, and how we read them:
- Strain as the cause: Bates believed strain caused refractive errors. Modern optics explains them by the shape of the eye.
- Relaxation: Palming and related practices. Pleasant as rest; they don’t change eyesight.
- Glasses: Bates opposed glasses. Eye-care organizations recommend glasses or contacts to correct refractive errors.
What the Book Covers
- The magazine issues: Monthly articles from 1919 to 1930, in order.
- Case reports: Bates’s own accounts of patients. They were not controlled studies.
- Practices: Instructions for palming, “swinging”, “shifting” and sunning.
Techniques in the Book
The practical techniques, and what they can do today:
- Palming: Covering closed eyes with the palms. A calm break for tired eyes.
- Swinging and shifting: Gentle movements; relaxing, but they don’t change eyesight.
- Sunning: Facing the sun with closed eyes. Not recommended: never look at the sun.
What the Evidence Says
We are not aware of controlled studies showing that the methods in this book change eyesight. Eye-care organizations are clear on the main points:
- Refractive errors: Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists “you can improve your vision with eye exercises” among common eye myths.
- Vision training: Eye-care organizations note that vision training is not proven to make eyesight sharper.
- Comfort: Breaks, blinking and relaxation can help eyes feel less tired after screens and reading (AAO). That is a comfort benefit, not a change in eyesight.
If your vision has changed, see an eye doctor before trying any self-help program.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Primary source: Bates’s own words, useful for history.
- Context: Shows how early eye-exercise movements were promoted.
Cons
- Claims not supported: The central claims have not been shown in research.
- Unsafe advice: Sunning can harm the eyes.
- Risk of delay: Readers may skip needed eye care.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Better Eyesight: The Complete Magazines of William H. Bates is a historical record of the Bates method in its founder’s words. It is interesting for that reason, and only for that reason: the method is not supported by evidence, and some advice (sunning) is unsafe. For any change in your vision, see an eye doctor.
FAQs
Q: Is the Bates method proven?
A: No. It was proposed in 1920 and later studies have not supported it.
Q: Are any of the exercises useful?
A: Palming and gentle eye movements are relaxing breaks. Never do sunning.
Q: Why read it today?
A: As history: it explains a movement that still circulates online.
Q: Can it help me stop wearing glasses?
A: No. Exercises don’t change your prescription.
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