Plus and minus lenses - some questions - Printable Version +- Eyesight Improvement Forum (https://www.iblindness.org/forum) +-- Forum: General Discussion (https://www.iblindness.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=4) +--- Forum: Complementary Methods (https://www.iblindness.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=7) +--- Thread: Plus and minus lenses - some questions (/showthread.php?tid=218) |
Plus and minus lenses - some questions - Lucia - 11-18-2006 I've been searching for this info, but I wasn't able to find it. If there's already a topic about this, please let me know. Minus lenses are used to "correct" nearsightedness and plus lenses to "correct" farsightedness, right? And if the plus lenses are suggested as a way to reverse nearsightedness, is it correct to say that minus lenses could be used as a way to reverse farsightedness? Or minus lenses are so injurious, that they should never be worn, no matter what error of refraction you're trying to reverse? Another question. I'm wearing a weaker prescription, about -4.75/-5.5. If I would buy plus lenses (something I'm not considering, I want to relearn to see without this kind of external help; is just information about plus and minus I'm looking for), should I buy +4.75/+5.5? Should the plus be the exact opposite of the minus? Thanks, Lucia Re: Plus and minus lenses - some questions - otis - 11-18-2006 Dear Lucia, I hold Dr. Bates opinion of the minus lens as a "correction" for incipient myopia. He said, roughly, that if a person with 20/70 vision, receives a strong minus, and wears it all the time, then in about a week his naked-eye vision will be 20/200. I think he exaggerated, but the basic idea is correct. It would take about 9 to 12 months for the eye to "adapt" to that minus and reach 20/200. Thus, the goal is to PREVENT that "adaptation" before you use, or become dependent on that minus. Thus the real purpose of these "second-opinion" sites, like imagination-blindness, is to understand WHY Bates made that statement. I have reviewed this topic on my site: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.myopiafree.com">http://www.myopiafree.com</a><!-- w --> To support, and encourage anyone to begin Bates, or any other method at that 20/70 -- specifically to avoid that wretched minus and its proven effect. To futher respond: I've been searching for this info, but I wasn't able to find it. If there's already a topic about this, please let me know. Otis> See my site. Minus lenses are used to "correct" nearsightedness and plus lenses to "correct" farsightedness, right? Otis> "Farsightedness" is poorly defined. If you become older than 40 years old, you tend to develop blur for near objects. This is presbyopia, and is poorly described as "farsightedness". Otis> When we induce a negative refractive STATE in our eyes from long-term near work (call it "stain" if you like), then you begin to get "blur" at distance. It is very easy to make vision sharp with a minus lens in 5 minutes. But Dr. Bates judged that it was a very bad idea -- and recommended his vision-clearing methods. And if the plus lenses are suggested as a way to reverse nearsightedness, Otis> I would say avoid the use of the minus in the same manner that Bates said it. The only difference is that the plus would be used for all near work, when your Snellen is 20/70. is it correct to say that minus lenses could be used as a way to reverse farsightedness? Otis> If by "farsighedness" you mean that the eye has a measured refractive STATE of +1.0 diopters -- the the answer is yes. If you place a -3 diopter lens on an eye with this refractive STATE, the natural eye's status will change to about -1.0 diopter inside of six months. Or minus lenses are so injurious, that they should never be worn, no matter what error of refraction you're trying to reverse? Otis> Almost all of us had positive refractive STATE of greater that zero when we were born. If you had good vision at age 5, and started the "reversing" process before your Snellen goes below 20/70, (about -1.25 diopters) then I think you could be successful. I also think that 20/70 is where you should start the Bates methods also. Another question. I'm wearing a weaker prescription, about -4.75/-5.5. If I would buy plus lenses (something I'm not considering, I want to relearn to see without this kind of external help; is just information about plus and minus I'm looking for), should I buy +4.75/+5.5? Should the plus be the exact opposite of the minus? Otis> I would stick with Dr. Bates methods methods for now as your best bet. Best, Otis Thanks, Lucia Re: Plus and minus lenses - some questions - Lucia - 12-02-2006 Hello Otis, Thanks for your answer. I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner, I'm a little busy these days. I didn't have the opportunity to read carefully your site, but when I do it I'll post any other questions I may have. Thanks again, Lucia Re: Plus and minus lenses - some questions - otis - 12-02-2006 Dear Lucia, Thanks for the response. I think the parents must begin to learn how to "accept" and use the plus for their children. David is very nice to allow us to post these remarks. I advocate the "plus" at the threshold, or before you start wearing that wretched minus. Provided that your Snellen does not get below 20/70, then I believe that a combination of the "plus" AND Bates method, should be effective for vision-clearing. After all that is what we ALL WANT. But these are all opinions -- mine included. I remember that Bates advocated that kids monitor their Snellen -- and clear by doing his "relaxation" methods. I think that is part of the "truth" of prevention, but I simply add that the "plus" can be part of that "truth" also. Best, Otis Re: Plus and minus lenses - some questions - jmulcahy - 05-03-2009 Hi! I read in a couple of places that I should get an opposite prescription to help heal my myopia. I am checking here to see if this make sense. I am around -4 and -4.75 (or so, 20/20 is higher probably) which would mean +4 and +4.75! I doubt I could see much with glasses like that, but if they helped my eyes relax back into their normal shape I will order some on Zenni this week! Thanks a lot. |