Seeing Without Glasses - Relearning To See With The Bershak Method

I have decided to start this blog in order to track my progress and maintain my motivation and dedication to learning to see again without the aid of glasses.

I have tried relaxation techniques, the Bates method but they aren't for me. I can't relax. I have very tense neck and shoulder muscles that I have been working on for a long time but despite this my definition of relaxation doesn't seem to work with these methods.

I was however lucky enough to come across this webpage: http://www.i-see.org/bershak.html and I intend to use it to get back the vision I once had.

I started wearing glasses when I was 13/14 I believe due to eye strain. If I had known what I do now I would have never taken those glasses! Unfortunately that hasn'tr happened and I am now stuck with a prescription roughly equating to around -3.00 or possibly worse in both eyes. This is a rough estimation, but basically I can't see the top letter of the Snellen chart clearly. Maybe that will give you an indication of how blind I am. Generally though despite this I was quite good at getting around without them.

Anyway I want to do the Bershak method because it just fits my personality. I know I can persevere with the challenge it brings up.

There are 3 stages to the Bershak method: Reactivation, Strengthening and Reshaping.

So far over the past week I have successful reactivated convergence. Convergence was a lot easier than divergence and I am still very much working on this. Tonight I really gave my eyes a work out and was able to acquire the divergent image of the third cup. I was also able to hold it for a long while. Before this I kept seeing 4 cups but the more effort I put in the clearer it became. One thing I found was that by really looking at a distance object not only nearer, I was able to get the divergent picture a lot better.

I intend to work on divergence for the next few days and see if I can move onto strengthening.

With convergence I can circle my head, move it back and forth and hold it quit steadily.

My eyes are sore so I know I have given them a good working.

One last thing I wanted to include was that when I started this method I found for a few days my shoulders and neck were extremely sore. I am guessing because I reallyam beginning tro loosen up the muscles maybe :).

To be continued...