What: Take Off Your Glasses and See: A Mind/Body Approach to Expanding Your Eyesight and Insight by Jacob Liberman (Crown/Harmony, 1995). We review it critically: the book encourages readers to rely less on glasses, and eye-care organizations say exercises do not improve vision or reduce the need for glasses.
Who: Jacob Liberman, who writes on light, vision and personal awareness for a general audience.
Core Idea: Seeing as both a physical and a psychological experience; relaxation and awareness practices.
Our View: Thought-provoking as a personal-growth book. As eye-care advice, its central suggestion is not supported by evidence.
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
Take Off Your Glasses and See: A Mind/Body Approach to Expanding Your Eyesight and Insight mixes ideas about eyesight with ideas about self-awareness. It draws on the eye-relaxation tradition that goes back to the Bates method, which was proposed in 1920 and is not supported by evidence (AAO). Readers looking for personal reflection may enjoy it; readers looking for eye care should see an eye doctor. (Bibliographic details: Open Library.)
About the Author
Jacob Liberman has written several books about light, vision and awareness. This one is aimed at general readers interested in mind/body ideas.
Key Themes
The book’s main themes, and how we read them:
- Seeing and awareness: The book links how we see with how we feel. An interesting idea for reflection; it doesn’t change eyesight.
- Stress and tension: Stress can make eyes feel tired; managing it helps comfort.
- Relying less on glasses: The book’s main suggestion. Eye-care organizations disagree: glasses correct refractive errors.
What the Book Covers
- Ideas about vision: A personal account of seeing as experience.
- Mind/body practices: Relaxation, breathing and awareness exercises.
- Living with less correction: Advice on going without glasses, which we don’t recommend without an eye doctor’s guidance.
Techniques in the Book
The practical techniques, and what they can do today:
- Relaxation and breathing: Good for general well-being and for tired eyes.
- Awareness exercises: Reflective practices; harmless, with no effect on prescription.
- Going without glasses: Not recommended. It can make reading and driving harder and less safe.
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.
- Safety: Driving without the correction you need is unsafe and may be illegal where you live.
If your vision has changed, see an eye doctor before trying any self-help program.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reflective: Encourages attention to stress and well-being.
- Relaxation: Its calming practices suit tired eyes.
Cons
- Main claim not supported: Exercises have not been shown to replace glasses.
- Safety risk: Going without needed glasses can be unsafe, especially when driving.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Take Off Your Glasses and See: A Mind/Body Approach to Expanding Your Eyesight and Insight is best read as a personal-growth book. Its relaxation ideas can help tired eyes feel calmer, but its suggestion to rely less on glasses is not supported by evidence. Wear your glasses as prescribed, and see an eye doctor for any change in your vision.
FAQs
Q: Can mind/body practices change my eyesight?
A: They have not been shown to. They can help you feel more relaxed.
Q: Is it safe to stop wearing glasses?
A: Not without your eye doctor’s advice, and never when driving if you need them.
Q: What helps tired eyes?
A: Breaks, blinking and good lighting (AAO).
Q: Who might enjoy this book?
A: Readers interested in mind/body ideas and personal reflection.
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