What: The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses, the popular edition of William Bates’s 1920 book (first published as The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses, later also titled Perfect Sight Without Glasses). We review it as history: the Bates method is not supported by evidence.
Who: William H. Bates (1860–1931), a New York ophthalmologist (overview of the Bates method).
Core Idea: Bates’s theory that refractive errors come from strain and can be reversed by relaxation, and the exercises built on it.
Our View: Important for understanding where many eye-exercise claims come from. Not a method to follow: its theory and 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
The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses is the book that launched the Bates method. Bates proposed it in 1920, arguing that glasses were unnecessary and that relaxation could restore normal sight. Eye-care organizations find no good evidence for this (AAO). The book is still widely reprinted and quoted, which is why we review it here. (Bibliographic details: Open Library.)
About the Author
William H. Bates practised as an ophthalmologist in New York. His view of how the eye focuses differed from the established science of his time and was not confirmed by later research. After the book, he published a monthly magazine promoting the method until 1930.
Key Themes
The book’s main themes, and how we read them:
- Strain as the cause: Bates believed strain caused nearsightedness and other errors. Modern optics explains them by the shape of the eye.
- Against glasses: Bates argued glasses made eyes worse. Eye-care organizations recommend glasses to correct refractive errors.
- Relaxation: Central to the method. Relaxation can help tired eyes feel better; it doesn’t change eyesight.
What the Book Covers
- Bates’s theory of focusing: His explanation of how the eye focuses, which later research did not support.
- Case reports: Accounts of his own patients. They were not controlled studies.
- Exercises: Palming, swinging, shifting, central fixation 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
The book relies on Bates’s own case reports. Later research did not support his claims:
- 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.
- Safety: Going without needed glasses, especially while driving, is unsafe. Sunning can harm the eyes.
If your vision has changed, see an eye doctor before trying any self-help program.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Historical importance: The source of the Bates method and many later eye-exercise claims.
- Relaxation: Palming remains a pleasant break for tired eyes.
Cons
- Claims not supported: Its central claims have not been shown in research.
- Unsafe advice: Sunning, and giving up needed glasses, can be harmful.
- Risk of delay: Readers may put off eye care.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses is a key document in the history of eye-exercise movements. Read it to understand that history, not to manage your eyes: the Bates method is not supported by evidence, and some of its advice is unsafe. For any change in your vision, see an eye doctor.
FAQs
Q: What is the Bates method?
A: An eye-exercise system proposed by William Bates in 1920, claiming relaxation could replace glasses.
Q: Is it supported by evidence?
A: No. Eye-care organizations find no good evidence that it changes eyesight.
Q: Is any of it useful?
A: Palming and relaxation are pleasant breaks for tired eyes. Never do sunning.
Q: Can I stop wearing glasses if I follow it?
A: No. Wear your glasses as prescribed.
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