These books present methods that are entirely within the framework of
Bates's original theory of refractive error, accommodation, and mental
strain as the primary cause of eye problems. Some, however, add advice
on nutrition and physical fitness that Bates never concerned himself
with in his writings.
Bates, William Horatio. The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without
Glasses. (On cover: "Perfect Sight
Without Glasses".) New York: Central Fixation Publ., 1920.
Posthumously abridged, revised, and republished as
"The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses".
New York: Henry Holt, 1943.
Corbett, Margaret Darst. A quick guide to better vision; how to have good
eyesight without glasses, 1957.
Corbett, Margaret Darst. Help yourself to better sight. New York,
Prentice-Hall, 1949.
Hackett, Clara A. Relax and see: A daily guide to better vision. New
York: Harper, 1955.
McFadden, Bernarr. Strengthening the Eyes: A System of Scientific Eye
Training. New York, McFadden Publ, 1925.
MacFadyen, Ralph J. See Without Glasses. New York: Fawcett (Premier), 1958.
Peppard, Harold M. Sight Without Glasses. New York: Garden City Books,
1940.
Price, C. S. (Cecil Stanley). The improvement of sight by
natural methods: a complete treatise upon the newer methods of treating all
conditions of imperfect sight by natural means, and obviating the
necessity for glasses, drugs, or operations. 3d ed., reprinted.
Cleveland: Sherwood Press, 1946. (1st ed. London, 1934).
"Second Generation" Bates
The authors of the following books never knew Bates personally, but many of
them knew his students (e.g. Margaret Darst Corbett). They have all worked
as vision improvement consultants.
They present various philosophies of vision
improvement, using Bates's ideas as a starting point, but often
incorporating ideas from the tradition of behavioral optometry.
Chaney, Earlyne. The eyes have it: a self-help manual for better vision.
New York: Instant Improvement, 1991.
Hoopes, Ann. Eye power: improved self-awareness, vitality, and
mental efficiency through visual training. New York: Knopf, 1979.
Hughes, Barbara. 12 weeks to better vision: a remarkable technique to
restore your eyesight. New York : Pinnacle Books, 1981.
Leviton, Richard. Seven Steps to Better Vision. Natural Health Books, 1992.
Mansfield, Peter. The Bates Method. Revised ed. London: Optima, 1995.
Quackenbush, Thomas R. Relearning to See. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1997.
Scholl, Lisette. Visionetics: The Holistic Way to Better Eyesight. Garden
City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1978.
Scholl, Lisette. HypnoVision: The New Natural Way to Vision Improvement:
New York: Henry Holt, 1990.
Selby, John, The Visual Handbook, Longmead, Shaftesbury, Dorsett, UK,
Element Books Ltd, 1987.
Personal Approach
The following books are written by people who discovered the Bates
method, improved their vision, did a little research, and wrote a book
which draws from their personal experience as well as their research.
Huxley, Aldous. The Art of Seeing. New York: Harper, 1942. (Original
edition has 273 p; later editions from various publishers have 145-158 p.)
Rosanes-Berret, Marilyn B. Do You Really Need Eyeglasses? New York:
Station Hill Press. 1990.
Windolph, Michael. Easy eye exercises for better vision : self-helps to
sight improvement. Hicksville, N.Y. : Exposition Press, 1974.
Engineering Approach to Myopia Prevention
The following books are written by engineers who make the case,
using scientific evidence and engineering concepts, that myopia is caused
by too much focusing at the near point. "Plus lenses" as a way to
prevent myopia, and to treat it in its early stages, are discussed.
These books are addressed to technically-minded readers who would like to
maintain or regain their own or their children's good distance vision.
Robert-Michael Kaplan and Jacob Liberman hold doctorate degrees in
optometry, and both used to have private practice in optometry. They
now work outside the established institutions of optometry; they no
longer prescribe lenses. Instead, they work as consultants to
optometrists and other health care providers. Their books combine
ideas from the Bates method, behavioral optometry, as well as insights
they have gained as optometrists.
Kaplan, Robert-Michael. Seeing without Glasses (1987 edition titled
Seeing beyond 20/20). Hillsboro, OR: Beyond Words Pub., 1994.
Kaplan, Robert-Michael. The Power Behind Your Eyes: Improving Your
Eyesight with Integrated Vision Therapy. Rochester, Vt. Healing Arts
Press, 1995.
Liberman, Jacob. Take Off Your Glasses and See: How to Heal Your
Eyesight and Expand Your Insight. London: Thorsons, 1995.
Behavioral Optometry
Behavioral optometry is usually considered to be a tradition
completely unrelated to Bates's school of eye education. Where the
principle behind the Bates method is to enable the eye to see well
without glasses or other devices in a mind-over-matter sort of way,
behavioral optometry relies on "therapeutic" and "stress-reducing"
lenses, patches, and mechanistic games to achieve a goal of efficient
vision. Naturally, "freedom from glasses" could never be promoted by
any group of optometrists who wish to remain in good standing with
their peers, but the promise is there, if muted.
Kavner, Richard S. Your child's vision: a parent's guide to
seeing, growing, and developing. New York: Simon and Schuster,
1985.
Kavner, Richard S., and Lorraine Dusky. Total Vision. New York:
A & W Publishers, 1978.
Revien, Leon, and Mark Gabor. Sportsvision: Dr. Revien's Eye
Exercises Program for Athletes. New York: Visual Skills, Inc.,
1988.
Seiderman, Arthur. 20/20 is Not Enough: The New World of
Vision. New York : Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 1989.
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