VIP: Vision improvement progress (that’s what I’ll call it) for Friday, Oct 17, 2008
I found a copy of “First Things First” by Stephen Covey (recommended by Irelands Eyes) at the library last night and started reading it. I’m only part way through but looked ahead and did some thinking about the most important things in my life and have decided to committ to spending more time every day on “important” things and less time on things that seem urgent but are not. We’ll see how it goes. I just need to carve out personal time everyday for the Bates Method. It has been slipping in the past few months (I could blame it on being busy with my PhD, other self-study I’ve been doing, etc) but in the end I must committ a set amount of time everyday to my vision improvement. Let’s see if I can hold on to this until I reach the goal of passing my driver’s test WOG.
- Long swings
- Frequent looking at distance through window at work (while shifting and working on on-demand clarity)
- Palming (during day and right before bed)
- Running WOG, keeping awareness on where I’m looking and what I’m seeing (except where I have to watch my step closely of course!)
- Spent all day WOG — didn’t even keep them in my pocket with me when I went running!
Snellen: (indoors, so-so light conditions) 20/70 cleared to 20/40
Sassisailor's Weblog 
Hi Sassy,
I’m glad you found First Things First somewhat useful. For me, the most significant lesson the book taught me was to distinguish between things that are urgent and things that are important. The latter often get neglected in the flurry of the former—and yet they’re the things that really and truly matter. Vision improvement is one of those things.
I think you’re right to carve out time for the Bates method every day. And I think it’s wonderful that you’re back to clearing to 20/40! That’s just about driving standard, yes?
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
-J.
Sassy, Congratulations! Yes, clearing to 20/40 is quite a feat. Just in case you sill need motivation to continue, look at your attitude here, jumping with enthusiasm out of the screen at me, contrasted with your discouraged tone of the “un-progress” post. It FEELS GOOD to be alive & improving our vision. What could be better than that? Keep it up!
Nancy Cheerleader
Sassy — As you know “engineers” are different! They will try many things — and come up with NEW ideas. I know how difficult this is for you. For me, (if you stick with it) I look for the same positve change in your Focometer reading (i.e., positive by +3/4 to +1 diopter) in about 8 to 12 months. That should “work” with your Snellen clearing work. From my “engineering” perspective, knowledge of that type of slow-but-steady effect is critical to me (and science, as far as I am concerned).
We will keep on “being supportive” of you — as long as you can stick with it. Otis
Sassy — Let me state how successful you are:
Sassy> Spent all day WOG — didn’t even keep them in my pocket with me when I went running!
Snellen: (indoors, so-so light conditions) 20/70 cleared to 20/40
Otis> This is incredible. You should not quit. Typically one diopter is “rated” at 20/70. Thus if you multiply 8 diopters x 70 you get 20/560.
Otis> Thus even -5.5 diopters is 20/385.
Otis> So “accommodation” in the 20/70 to 20/40 (outdoors) is incredible. Very few people have been able to accomplish what you have ALREADY DONE.
Otis> I know the “path” is long — but for all of us — remeber how far you have come.
Best,
Otis
Sassy — As you know Bates “objected” to the minus lens — and got fired from an academic position because of his second-opinion. He is not the only one to object. Here is Dr. Brumer who “objected” and was then prevented from doing further work on prevention. I would read his academic paper, and then click on the two links provided at the bottom of the page. This truly “chills” me about the majority-opinion ODs, who are no help with “honest” prevention. If you feel you must “stand alone” to do it — this is the reason you don’t get any help. If you “stand” for academic “freedom”, then you should object the way that I do.
http://www.myopia.org/brumerpaper.htm
I would be curious as to your commentary about so-called “optometry researcy”.
Best, Otis