The Bates Method is effective for a wide variety of vision problems, due to the fact that most problems are of a much more functional nature than is commonly understood. The essence of the Bates Method is relaxation of the mind and eyes (the mind first, and the eyes will follow). Although all sorts of conditions have been placed into the category of "stress-related disorders," modern science is only beginning to scratch the surface. Vision problems are largely of this sort.

Refractive errors, which are the conditions for which glasses are worn, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, can be improved or eliminated. Temporary relief of refractive errors is extremely common, and not uncommon in people who have never even heard of the Bates Method. Permanent relief is practically always possible and merely takes more practice, persistence, and patience.

Presbyopia, or "old-age sight," is usually considered an inevitable condition of advancing years wherein the focus is fixed at one distance only, requiring the seer to be provided with an outfit of lenses for seeing at various distances. This is NOT the inevitable and incurable condition it is made out to be, as there are people well into advanced years who have retained or even regained their focusing ability.

It's also effective in relieving symptoms of discomfort in the eyes. Among these symptoms are tiredness of the eyes, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and general feelings of eyestrain (including computer eyestrain). Eyestrain is NOT merely due to excessive use or to not wearing your glasses. It always has to do with using your eyes wrongly and is completely avoidable.

People with strabismus (eye-teaming problems) and/or amblyopia ("lazy-eye") have also experienced benefit and even eliminated the conditions.

Even organic diseases of the eye can be a lot more functional and susceptible to improvement under the right conditions than they're given credit for. People have improved glaucoma, cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and other conditions using the Bates Method. Results will vary. Remember that this is not a medical treatment, but education on how to use your eyes in the healthiest way possible.

To sum up, if the vision problem has any functional aspects, the vision can be improved.