Completed:
- 100+ long swings
- 10 minutes palming
- Snellen chart work: In the evening, with dim lights, I took to working on my Snellen chart even though the light conditions were not optimal. I began by slowly swinging back and forth and just noticing the drastic oppositional movement. Then I used the technique described by Quackenbush of using the nose-pencil (I imagined a nose-paintbrush). I used my “nose-paintbrush” to brush different colors and finally to brush the white line beneath the lines and my vision cleared from 20/200 eventually to 20/50! I experienced very warm, tingling sensations around my eye sockets and almost thought my vision was going to permanently clear! It didn’t, but it was an encouraging session 🙂
I’ve been paying attention more and more to the instincts and thoughts I have as I’ve become more “aware” and my mind has quieted. Especially last night I was getting urges and thoughts to stretch more, look up, bring my shoulder blades together, etc, and doing these things always helped my vision. Learning to let myself follow these instincts and paying attention to strain is helping tremendously.
Sassisailor's Weblog 
Subject: The “official” light-condition for measurement.
As you know, I have 20/20. But it is in the office of an ophthalmologist. Now I know the illumination level. It is equivalent to a 100 watt bulb (shielded) about 18 inches from the Snellen. We should “standardize” on that test-condition. Don’t beat yourself up on tests that are not required — of anyone! Further, the DMV tests at the same level of illumination. So “sunlight” is the best way. I continue to be amazed at your Snellen, given that your refractive STATE (Focometer is 5.5 diotpers — at the present time.) You have a lot of guts to “fight” for your distant vison — given all the people who will “discourage” you from doing this work. Otis
Sassy,
Thanks for the reminder to take the time to clear the chart. I avoided it for a long time because when I looked at it I could usually only see the top letter (from just a few feet away), so I got immediately discouraged & went & did something else. Now I do the chart indoors almost every night & am repeatedly surprised at how I can start seeing only a blurry 20/200 & end up with 20/70 from scanning the white spaces, paying attention to central fixation, etc. I’ll probably write something about this on my blog in the next day or so. Also, nice going on not letting the lower light conditions impede your progress!
Nancy
Sassy,
I personally think that 20/20 is vastly over-done. In arguing for prevention (for children) I argue that the child should be given some “breathing room”, and not put into a strong minus, until the parents are given time to review these preventive alternative. But as you know — that is never going to happen. I guess we have way to much “pressure” on the OD, or too much “expectation” of him to have any “conversation” about these important issues. So that is why I argue for “education”. But you site seems to be the only place where a “new” engineering mind can develop. Keep up the excellent work — I know how difficult it is. Otis
Subject: Using the plus — to avoid getting back into myopia the second time.
Some of you may have “wondered” why I am wearing a plus for all work closer than 24 inches. (Even though I can read and type this clearly.) Here is the reason — inducing myopia the second time — after cataract surgery. From Karen:
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I knew there was trouble, as my vision was getting worse 4 years after my initial cataract surgery. Now I’ve been told I have a secondary cataract that can be resolved with the YAG procedure.
I was very nearsighted prior to the surgery(-7.0), and now the eye is at -1.5.
A few questions about this procedure :
1) are there degrees of this posterior capsule opacification? When they ‘burn’ the hole in the capsule, is there a certain sized hole? Does a higher degree of of opacification make it more difficult?
2) I have numerous floaters that appeared after the cataract surgery – will these be affected by the YAG?
I haven’t been happy with the results of the initial surgery, so I’m wary of having another procedure, but I found a better doc this time, so I’m not as concerned about his ability – just my anxiety. thanks, Karen
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Now do you understand why I monitor both my Snellen AND my refractive STATE?
Otis
Otis,
I think it’s great that you are using the plus to prevent slipping into myopia again — and reading the Snellen is key to this as well. But we both agree on all of these issues so you know how I feel!
In my most recent post I describe the lights that are in my living room (forgot to mention there is also a light in the hall where I’m standing — it’s also a fluorescent, 14W but with an orange colored glass over it (the light is not that great…)).
I agree that 20/20 is overdone and am finding that being able to see 20/40 to 20/50 is sufficient for most things! As my vision fluctuates I can see that once I improve further it won’t be necessary to “worry” about having 20/20 all the time because I can maintain my vision with the Snellen chart and plus lenses once I get to that point.
Sassy
Hey Nancy,
It’s amazing how long it’s taken me to become more patient with my Snellen chart, and now that I have it’s amazing how quickly I can improve my vision. Last night I used the same nose-paintbrush technique and my vision cleared to 20/50 faster than the night before! I think this is why it’s key to use the Snellen because it teaches us to slow down and “relearn to see”. Once we teach our brains how to do this, I think it will become more natural and I will be able to do it all day without having to think about it.
I will be out of town for a few days but will be back Sunday. I’m heading over to catch up on your blog before I have to leave.
Have a great weekend!
Sassy
Sassy, I totally agree about 1) getting comfortable with the snellen & 2) doing it regularly. No other practice I’ve found both “forces” me to slow down (or rather, makes me aware that I need to slow down) & also helps me be aware of central fixation. Yes, I want both of these habits to become natural for me. I am becoming more & more aware that I have spent most of my life rushing around doing as much as possible as fast as possible, often trying to do multiple things at once. I used to be a poster child for using your eyes (& mind) in an unhealthy way. Yikes!
Nancy