When I was hiking the Portuguese Camino this past March 2023, I began to think about my 8.5 years of complete remission from Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Bipolar Disorder and other serious medical issues. I still can’t believe that I am living my best life with zero pain in my body, no pharmaceuticals and great energy at the ripe old age of 60. Here is a good summary of everything that I did to recover 20 years of chronic illness.
But what about my eyesight?! Why hadn’t my eyesight healed or at least improved a little? I mean this made no sense to me at all. I had been wearing prescription glasses for over 50 years. What was I missing?
When the student is ready the teacher will appear
There is a saying, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. So I began researching how to heal my eyesight naturally. This led me to endmyopia.org
In a nutshell, the process I’m following involves a very gradual reduction of one’s prescription lenses. Kind of like weaning yourself slowly off of anti-depressant medications.
My 30% Reduction in SPH and 30% Reduction in Cylinder (Astigmatism) in 4.5 months
March 15, 2023
R SPH- 3.0 CYL – 1.5
L SPH – 3.5 CYL – 1.0
August 4, 2023
R SPH – 2.0 CYL -1
L SPH – 2.50 CYL – 0.5
12 Tips to Healing your Eyesight Naturally
1/ Reduce slowly
I have reduced 6 times (.25 only, each time) alternating between SPH and CYL (Astigmatism) reductions. Research indicated that it wasn’t a good idea to reduce both focal planes at the same time. Once the eyes had adjusted to each reduction and my vision was clear and crisp, then I made another reduction. So basically, your eye glasses are slightly under-corrected so that your eyes have to work a little bit harder to clear a small amount of blur. It is very important to go slowly.
2/ Order weaker glasses for close-up work
These are called differentials. I began with 1.5 diopter lower in each eye. Ideally your close-up glasses should be just strong enough so you can see 60 cm from your computer screen.
My close-up glasses for computer work
R SPH – 1 CYL – 0
L SPH – 1.25 CYL – 0
These could have been a little stronger but I am able to do close-up work just fine at 50 cm from my laptop. I completely dropped the CYL (astigmatism), as I always took my glasses off for close-up work in the past.
3/ Reduce phone and computer screen time
This is very important. We live off-grid and don’t have cell service, so I only use my phone when we go into town to shop once or twice per week for maybe 1 hour. I use my laptop on average for 4 hours per day, as I work online. I have drastically reduced social media and other mindless surfing.
4/ Implement active focus
This is just learning how to clear a small amount of blur when looking at objects or signs in the distance. Each drop in prescription should never be greater than our ability to clear the blur easily. Otherwise, a person can just become blur-adapted.
5/ Healthy Diet
I eat very healthy with almost no sugar or processed foods. We eat a paleo diet with lots of organic animal protein, vegetables and healthy fats. Your eyes, like the rest of your body, need lots of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and water.
6/ Understand the cause of astigmatism
It is important to move your eyes and head at the same time. I had a very bad habit of sitting at my computer with my chin cupped in my left hand and elbow resting on my desk. While I read the computer screen my eyes were moving back and forth and my head was in a fixed position. Be mindful of these types of behaviours. My astigmatism is healing slowly, as the cylinder corrections have to adjust over longer periods of time.
7/ Daily eye exam
A quick eye test with the Snellen Chart to ensure 20/20 vision. Ours is hanging permanently in our dining room. When my vision improves to 20/15, then it is time to reduce again.
8/ Practise the 20- 20-20 rule
This involves taking a 20-second break from looking at a screen every 20 minutes. During these breaks, I look out my window at the trees which are more than 20 feet away, which relaxes the eye muscles.
9/ Reduce the use of sunglasses
My view is controversial, but my eyes are now completely bright light-adapted. I wore my very cool Raybans for all of my outdoor activities over a 20 year period. However, I discovered that when sunlight enters the eye, it signals the brain to produce melanin and hormones; it also affects the pineal gland. I now understand that constant use of sunglasses was not great for my eyes or general health. I am going to order an appropriate sunglass prescription for driving only under difficult conditions, such as facing the setting or rising sun.
10/Spend a minimum of 3 hours per day outdoors
We run a small homestead, so this one is easy for me. We love hiking, fishing, gardening and all of this distance viewing is very healing for your nearsightedness.
11/ Get your sleep
It is really important to sleep and let your eyes and body fully rest up each night. Aim for 7-9 hours each night. Your eyeballs will thank you!
12/ Order your glasses online
Just buy basic frames with minimal extras and pay between 30 – 50 dollars per pair. This makes it very affordable to continuously make your reductions. Zenni.com is where I buy mine.
Nearsightedness Is Not An Illness (But A $100 Billion Business)
I have no doubt that I will be glasses-free in another year or two. I am still in shock at this process and how my eyes are healing. Most of us don’t need to continuously wear glasses but we do need to change our close-up habits. Reduce screen time, and for heaven’s sake get outside. That is really where the magic happens!
I hope this article inspires just one other person to take the necessary steps to heal their eyesight! I am beyond grateful for this new knowledge and experience of how the body can and will heal itself if given the right help.
Blessings and Best of Health,
Brenda
Everything that I have done to regain my health is available for free on my blog. If you would like some extra help I offer health coaching and hair tissue mineral analysis. Please go to this page to book a consult.
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