....half of what is being taught in opthalmology is junk science?

I don't know, what's being taught? Ophthalmology today is mainly about eye diseases and treatment like surgery. Optometry does most of the glasses prescriptions and examinations. Do you mean optometry? I don't understand what you're asking.

Dave

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Webmaster of http://www.iblindness.org

"I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things." - Benjamin Franklin

Yes, maybe it's optometry....sorry

In optometry school they learn optics, which can get very involved, and it isn't wrong. But treating refractive errors with glasses isn't the best approach for the well-being of most people.

Dave

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Webmaster of http://www.iblindness.org

"I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things." - Benjamin Franklin

It is because of Dr. Bates' statements such as the following that prompted me to ask the question.

MOST writers on ophthalmology appear to believe that the last word about
problems of refraction has been spoken, and from their viewpoint the last word is
a very depressing one. - INTRODUCTORY of the Bates book.

I don't know why Bates doesn't ever refer to optometrists. It might have been a relatively small profession back then, or he might have just chosen to talk about his own profession. In any case, a hundred years ago it was different.

Dave

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Webmaster of http://www.iblindness.org

"I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things." - Benjamin Franklin

Well Bates was just saying that if all refractive eye problems were incurable, as mainstream authority has deemed it to be, then it would be a very depressing situation for many people. Luckily for humanity he devised his system to cure people so that people don't have to suffer the trouble of eyeglasses.

To answer the original question, I would certainly not say that half of what is being taught in ophthalmology is junk science. It's actually very interesting stuff, and much of it corresponds surprisingly closely with Dr. Bates' principles 100 years ago. The biggest problem though is the way these professionals mock anything that has to do with the mind, or 'mental' or 'imaginary'. They think it's an insane and ridiculous idea for example that imagining perfect sight can really cure defective sight. This close-mindedness is what blocks them from making the more significant advances in the field, as Bates did. But I foresee a good future for this profession, no doubt there will come a day when it wakes up to the revolutionary discoveries of Bates.

According to the great Ivan Illich underlining all of modern medicine is the assumption that health is an institution that the general public must consume. We cannot contribute to our own health, we must go to specialized professionals and wash our hands of our own health. The modern medical community: one of its main goals is to make us accept the ill-effects of modern industrial and capitalist progress. This main goal is stronger often than the ancillary goal of healing humanity.

When taking a Bates course to improve clarity of close vision at age 40, and beginning to write a book on natural vision improvement after the close vision started improving naturally I went to a optometrist for eye exam.
I asked him about the Bates method and natural eyeight improvement.
He said i have to go to optometry college for many years and get a degree before he can discuss these matters with me.
He said i am not informed enough to discuss this on his level.
He tried to sell me eyeglasses for close distance.
I did not buy the glasses.
I continued the Bates course, shifting, central fixatrion on close objects, relaxation of mind, body, neck, eyes, and reading very fine print in sunlight and my close vision returned to 20/20.
Also learned how to see fine details at very close distances, a kind of microscopic vision.
Met a man that has this microscopic vision.
He draws bees, butterflys with perfect fine details of antennas, eyes, whiskers on the bugs for a greeting card company.
He does not wear eyeglasses.
David; is there a spell checker on this?

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Mary I. Oliver - 38 years practice, teach Natural Eyesight Improvement.

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