Improve Eyesight with Eye Exercises
Eye exercises improve eyesight by relaxing the external muscles of the eye.
There are six external muscles attached to the eye. Four of these muscles extend back from the eye and are intended to rotate the eye up and down, and right and left. Two of the muscles go partially around the eye. Dr. Bates indicated that these two muscles that partially go around the eye are responsible for accommodation (allowing the eye to see close objects clearly).
When the external muscles are at rest or relaxed the eye is nearly spherical. This is the proper shape for seeing objects at a distance. To see near objects the two muscles going around the eye contract and cause the eye to elongate. Near objects then focus clearly on the retina.
According to the Bates theory, chronic tension in the external muscles cause the eye to deviate from its normal spherical shape. Chronic tension in the muscles extending back from the eye will pull it into the eye socket pressing on the back side of the eye and producing farsightedness. Chronic tension in the muscles that go partially around the eye squeeze the eye to become too long and produce nearsightedness. Tenseness in these muscles can also cause astigmatism.
Thus, to improve eyesight and see more clearly, you must release the chronic tension in these muscles and allow the eye to regain its normal spherical shape.
Eye exercises such as the long swing, palming, and sunning help relax these muscles and improve eyesight.
As you practice these eye exercises you will begin relax your eye muscles. At first you will improve your eyesight only immediately after the exercise. After a few days or weeks, your eyesight will improve for a considerable time after you have completed the exercises.
The more you practice eye exercises, the easier it will be to relax your eye muscles. Not only will you improve your eyesight, but you will likely have fewer headaches and will feel generally better.
I suggest you read Relearning to See as an up-to-date reference about the Bates method. This book explains how the eye works and gives an excellent explanation of the Bates method that will improve your eyesight.