Reversing Myopia
Author of the Study: Pawell2418
Version 1.0 2024-07-09: Preliminary findings
Abstract
According to recent speculation found on online sources[1], there may be a potential method for reversing myopia, an eye condition often deemed irreversible by popular scientific discourse[2]. The intriguing arguments put forth in these discussions have prompted this author to conduct a personal experimentation to ascertain the validity of such claims. This venture raises pertinent questions regarding the potential fallibility of modern Western medical practices, drawing parallels to historical instances of medical misguidance such as the Thalidomide controversy[3], the Tuskegee Syphilis Study[4], the rectulance against acknowledgment of basic hygiene practices such as hand washing[5], and even more recent controversies involving unfounded uses of veterinary medications in human treatment[6].
Introduction
Myopia, a common refractive error also referred to as near-sightedness or short-sightedness, is a vision impairment characterized by the focal point of light from distant objects falling in front of rather than directly on the retina. Consequently, distant objects appear blurry while close objects remain in focus. Prevalence rates of myopia in developed nations exceed 50%[7] of the general population, indicating its widespread occurrence. This ocular condition affects individuals across various demographics, including the author of this study.
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of a novel eye vision improvement technique[1] through self-experimentation. The findings from this study are further disseminated through this blog to increase awareness and encourage knowledge sharing among the wider community. The cost-effective nature of the intervention underscores its potential to benefit a larger audience in improving and preserving eye health. Recommendations are made for participants to share their experiences with friends and family, thereby enhancing the potential impact of this intervention.
Literature Review
The prevalent medical interpretation of this phenomenon suggests a genetic basis[8]: individuals are predisposed to poor eyesight from birth with little recourse. However, this explanation fails to account for the significant increase in myopia among both children[9] and adults[10] over the past two decades. As a result, contemporary scientific understanding must reluctantly acknowledge the influence of lifestyle factors[11] on visual health. A cursory review of relevant literature[12] offers promising avenues for further investigation:
The correlation[13] between higher education attainment and the prevalence of visual impairment among individuals is a topic of concern. Factors such as limited exposure to sunlight[14], lack of physical activity[15], inadequate intake of essential vitamins[16], and limited time spent outdoors[17] have been identified as potential contributors to this phenomenon. These challenges are inherent to the modern lifestyle characterized by prolonged screen time and sedentary behavior. Addressing these concerns poses a complex challenge with no straightforward solutions.
Revolution: Eyes have self adjusting mechanism
Very simple abstract: Research[18] indicates that prolonged use of eyes for reading text on a screen less than a meter away can lead to a decline in long-distance focusing ability, resulting in myopia. To solve myopia patients get prescribed corrective lenses, which ultimately lead into worsening[19] the myopia condition. This cycle often perpetuates with the acquisition of stronger glasses over time.
However, breaking this cycle may be achieved by encouraging the eyes to refocus through the use of less potent corrective lenses. By gradually reducing the strength of glasses until text appears slightly blurry but still legible, the eye is subjected to stress that initiates the process of adapting to a new focal point. With patience and persistence, individuals may eventually be able to eliminate the need for corrective lenses altogether.
Methods
In order to conduct the experiment effectively, it is essential to have two primary components: a collection of glasses varying in strength, and a reliable testing apparatus. Subsequent to obtaining these materials, meticulous, routine self-assessment is imperative to ascertain the proper utilization of the glasses and to monitor the progress of ocular improvement.
Set of glasses
In order to effectively conduct the experiment, it is imperative to acquire a substantial quantity of glasses. Conventional eyeglasses available at standard outlets can be priced at approximately 80€ per pair, and this does not include any vision filters or aesthetically pleasing frames. Moreover, in various regions, the sale of corrective (myopia) lenses without a prescription from a licensed medical professional is considered unlawful[20]. In such instances, online platforms such as zennioptical.com (offering glasses at $6.95) or selectspecs.com (priced at £6.00) may serve as viable alternatives. It is advisable to select the supplier with more affordable shipping costs in order to facilitate the procurement process.
In this study, five glasses with varying corrective lens strengths ranging from -1.00 to +0.25 were purchased. The participant's current glasses strength was approximately -2.00, requiring an experimental or educated guess approach. For instance, if the current prescription was -3.25, it was suggested to begin with glasses of strengths -2.75, -2.25, -1.75, -1.25, and -0.75 to allow for flexibility in adjusting to different work and life settings.
It is necessary to avoid complete blindness while still putting some strain on the eyes during all daily activities. The glasses were recommended to be ordered in different colors and frames to easily distinguish between them. The sorting method chosen was by color, with black representing the strongest, blue as middle, light purple as weak, and see-through frames as the weakest.
Testing Mechanism
Regular testing is essential[21] to monitor progress in eye health. It is suggested that individuals print or save an Snellen chart[22] or it's modern variants like Landolt C on their computer, and conduct weekly tests at the same time each day. It is important to ensure that the chart is properly scaled, with the recommended reading distance being 6 meters and the tallest letter on the chart measuring 87 millimeters. In cases where space limitations prevent a 6 meter distance, scaling the chart for a 2 meter distance with the tallest letter measuring 29 millimeters may be appropriate. Further details and visual representation can be found in the image below:
Prior to commencing testing, it is imperative to ensure that the individual stands at the appropriate distance from the reading material and that lighting conditions are optimal and consistent. The individual should cover their right eye and attempt to read a table of text, recording the smallest line that can be comfortably read without guessing letters. Subsequently, the individual should repeat the test using their weakest pair of glasses, followed by the strongest pair of glasses, before conducting the same process for the right eye. These tests should be conducted using multiple pairs of glasses in order to mitigate any potential measurement errors.
It is recommended to utilize software or a notepad to record and organize the values obtained, ideally in a visually similar table format.
Results
The results presented in the attached file (ODS, 300KB) indicate a gradual improvement in vision over a period of two months. Both eyes showed an increase of 2 lines at the strongest level of correction, transitioning from line 5 (equivalent to a sight of 20/40) to line 7 (equivalent to a sight of 20/25). This encouraging data suggests a positive impact of the intervention being studied.
The raw notes provided by the study participant below offer unfiltered insights into the evolution of their observations, from initial skepticism to a growing sense of achievement as the hypothesis is validated:
- 2024-05-05
i am wearing the blue -0.75 for the time being, using them for all computer work, i have a very big tendency to close my head to monitor to counter the blurry text, it takes some restraint to keep normally in chair. the very first test showed i need a better eye patch. - 2024-05-25
so i have been doing the meme eye improvement thing for a month and i can already show some data showing a very minor improvement. obviously measuring eyes is EXTREMLY subjective, the brain has build in 999 ways how to counter shitty eye sight, so it is hard to properly measure it in home conditions, but the way how i do it with zero to minus 1.75 eliminates possible measure errors by simply having a lot of tests. if i was very optimistic (and assumed linear progression) and said that by 1 month i reduced my eye shittiness by ~0.2 dioptrie, i can extrapolate the data and claim i will be glasses free in 10 months. - 2024-06-25
This is the first time i have been able to read from line 7! Sure i mistook the first letter F for P, but nontheless it is undeniable improvement. Before the line was unredable blur of symbols, now i got 6 out of 7 letters right from my left eye. And it really looks like the improvement in vision are lienar, suggesting by the end of this year i will have 20/20 vision. Eye maxxing to the moon!
Discussion
The primary area of inquiry currently centers on the linearity of the eye's self-repairing mechanism and the extent of its limitations. Furthermore, there is a need to determine if this mechanism functions uniformly across various demographic groups, including men, women, children, older individuals, those who are overweight, undernourished, diabetic, individuals with mild myopia (-1.00), or severe myopia (-6.00). Addressing these inquiries demands rigorous medical research supported by adequate funding. Nevertheless, there appears to be a lack of interest from the medical establishment in exploring alternative, less costly, and safer methods to address myopia in a substantial portion of the population.
Conclusion
As the experiment is currently in progress, it is imperative to refrain from drawing conclusive statements. Nevertheless, the abundance of testimonials posted outlining diverse levels of success in managing or eradicating myopia cannot be disregarded. Despite being only two months into the study, the initial outcomes have been highly promising, prompting the decision to formally disseminate the findings through this blog.
The preliminary findings suggest that the hypothesis may indeed hold true.
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