What is Natural Vision Improvement?
by Irena Castle
The term Natural Vision Improvement refers to methods that teach people how to use their eyes in a way that leads to improved performance of their full visual system, and therefore to improved seeing without the need of traditional vision aids, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. The methods are based on the fact that eyesight is a variable skill.
Eyesight is variable
While current medical practice treats vision more or less as a constant (for any given distance, a patient gets one set of glasses to wear at all times), eyesight is, in fact, variable. It changes during the course of a day, it changes with one’s mood, with weather, etc. Most people experience fluctuation of some sort on a daily basis. There have even been recorded instances when people take multiple eye exams during one day and get multiple different prescriptions for glasses. If vision was constantly good or bad, how could that be possible?
Eyesight is a skill
You may argue that vision can change, but only for the worse, which leads us to the second part of the introductory statement, and that is that vision/eyesight is a skill. Skill, by definition, is something that can be learned, acquired and developed. The person who first dared to call eyesight a skill was Dr. William Bates back in the early 1900. Dr. Bates, a well regarded ophthalmologist, simply could not believe that while our body can develop just about any physical capability and teach itself to deal with new situations (imagine learning how to use a leg after amputation, or a much simpler thing - like brushing one's teeth with your non-dominant hand), it is unable to use its vision as anatomically designed. This fundamental belief led to decades of work, experimentation and testing, which ended up with the birth of what we know as the Bates Method for seeing without glasses.
While quite old, this method and its principles have given foundation to most contemporary natural vision methods and approaches. Over the last century, it has been further tested, implemented and built upon. It has been enhanced by new findings and modalities. Yet the main principles prevail.
Main Principles of Natural Vision Improvement
The purpose of natural vision improvement methods is to teach activity (related to eyesight) under relaxed conditions by which the eye and mind coordinate normally, thus returning the function of seeing to the involuntary muscle system (visual accommodation being driven by involuntary muscles that we cannot physically control) vs the voluntary extrinsic muscles, and thus permitting vision to take place.
Principle #1: Seeing is best at a relaxed state
The term “Relaxation” is used in the sense of the proper use of the visual system and the body. Vision relaxation techniques enable the release of eye strain and allow better vision to take place.
Principle #2: Seeing happens in the present
Being in the moment, looking with curiosity provides great conditions for clear seeing. Any past and future images are purely the work of your imagination.
Principle#3: Seeing happens in the brain
The majority of seeing is done by the brain, not the eyes. The eyes simply take in a signal and send it on, through the optic nerve to the visual cortex. Therefore, learning how to engage the whole visual system (not just how to fix the eyes) is what drives progress.
Principle #4: To each their own
Each eye is its own entity. In order for the two eyes to work in harmony, each eye individually has to be fully engaged in the act of seeing and have a solid connection with the visual cortex. During the process of natural vision improvement much of this is accomplished by leveraging selective vision obstruction, such as the one provided by Overbound Clarity Eyesight Trainer.
Principle #5: Seeing constant movement
In order for clear seeing to happen, there must be no staring. Test it for yourself. Look at something intensely and note that instead of the point coming to clarity, it becomes progressively more blurry. To achieve clarity, the human eyes must constantly move. While they move, a relative movement of all objects within their visual field happens.
Principle #6: Commitment to the process not to the end result
“Looking and receiving” visual signals brings improvement, while “trying to see” slows the progress down or reverses it. As with any other skill, having an end goal in mind helps with defining the course of actions. It is, however, the engagement with the method, the commitment to repetitive practice, that brings the results.
How does natural vision improvement work?
Respecting the above principles (and more), natural vision improvement methods evaluate the symptoms of any limited vision, then address the root cause (sometimes multiple causes) through techniques that lead to building new neural pathways between the eyes and the visual cortex. Taking advantage of imagination, neuroplasticity, and physical practice, they teach the eyes how to look, and the brain how to correctly interpret visual signals supplied by the eyes. When the process is completed, the client has learned to understand the way their visual system works, and can freely accommodate at any distance (or improved distance), and therefore see the world in a brand new way.
Looking to get started?
There are many ways you can go about getting started. First, there are ample free digital videos, books, and other resources you can simply research. If you want to skip the search, and are looking for a more structured/guided approach, there are a few options out there:
For beginners who want to get their feet wet, start with structured 101 courses. Overbound offers a free program with purchase of a vision obstruction system called Clarity. Given vision obstruction is one of the natural vision improvement principles (and therefore you will need occluders no matter what method you choose), Clarity is a no-brainer to start with.
For those who want a bit more support, self-guided courses may be a great next step. The one that comes to mind is 21 Days To Better Eyesight Experience taught by Claudia Muehlenweg.
If you are looking for a full group online coaching, look into Clear Sight Method by Dr. Ainhoa de Federico and wait for the next registration to open.
And finally, for those feeling like a 1:1 approach is what they need, you can choose a vision teacher at naturalvisionteachers.org or at seeing.org.
Overbound Eyesight
Eyesight has no boundaries, no matter its current state. Natural vision improvement techniques have the ability to improve nearly any visual limitations, that is, if you use the right tools, and if you are willing to invest your time and mind into getting there.
IC
About the author:
Irena Castle is a vision coach and innovator in the field of eyesight development, and the founder of Overbound.
She specializes in delivering better eyesight to athletes and individuals who express a burning desire to overcome boundaries of their visual limitations, and to maximize their potential in sports, career or life. In her practice Irena combines vision teachings of Bates with principles of neuro-psychology, and with specialized sports vision techniques.
In addition to her positive impact on her clients' vision improvement journey, Irena's most valuable contribution to the world of natural vision improvement is the invention and introduction of the Overbound Clarity Eyesight Trainer, a vision obstruction system that helps and simplifies the practice of many natural vision improvement techniques. The device is currently being used by vision students in nearly 30 countries around the world.
Irena can be contacted via overboundeyesight.com (for natural vision improvement), overboundathletics.com (for sports vision development).
