American Vision Institute - See Clearly Method?

[gbrisson2000]

Hi all!

A family member recently bought the “See Clearly Method” from the American Vision institute. When I saw it, I immediately dismissed it as quackery and thought they were some fly-by-night operation. They seem to be gaining in momentum, however, as recently I’ve heard some radio ads for their program. So, I’ve tried to do a little research as to whether they’re legit (IE: Have any true, scientific studies been done on their program?) but so far have come up empty. Anybody have any good info on them? Thanks!

[Delta-9]

Why don’t you check out the company’s website for more info.

Some sort of eye muscle exercise program.

Make of it what you will.
Welcome to The Straight Dope!

[dropzone]

Are eye exercises back AGAIN? Sheesh! This was invalidated a century ago.

Off for cites…

[Delta-9]

*Originally posted by gbrisson2000 *
Have any true, scientific studies been done on their program?

From the company’s own website:

“No formal research studies have been done yet on the See Clearly Method.”

<red flag>

They then go on to talk about “clinical trials.”

Uh-huh.

[dropzone]

Here’s one: http://www.netasia.net/users/truehealth/Eye%20Exercises.htm

Hmmmm, somebody is promoting eye exercises as well as selling “super-ionized water.” I’m in the wrong racket.

[friedo]

From QuackWatch’s page on Eye Quackery:

Contrary to scientific fact, Bates taught that errors of refraction are due, not to the basic shape of the eyeball or the structure of the lens, but to a functional and therefore curable derangement in the action of the muscles on the outside of the eyeball. All defects in vision, he said, were caused by eyestrain and nervous tension; and perfect vision could be achieved by relaxing the eyes completely. Bates warned that eyeglasses cause the vision to deteriorate; he also deplored the use of sunglasses. Bates claimed his exercises could correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia (the inability of older people to focus their eyes on nearby objects). They could also cure such diseases as cataracts, eye infections, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. His exercises included palming (covering the eyes and attempting to see blackness) and shifting or swinging the gaze from object to object.

It should be obvious that these exercises cannot influence eyesight disorders as Bates claimed. Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia result from inborn and acquired characteristics of the lens and the eyeball – which no exercise can change. As for eye diseases, the only thing the exercises can do is delay proper medical or surgical treatment and result in permanent impairment of vision. The claims Bates made in advertising his book were so dubious that in 1929 the Federal Trade Commission issued a complaint against him for advertising “falsely or misleadingly.”

After Bates died in 1931, his office and teaching practices were taken over very successfully by his wife Emily with the help of Dr. Harold M. Peppard. Mrs. Bates had worked with her husband for a number of years, and Peppard was an ardent advocate of the Bates System. An edited version of Dr. Bates’s book was published in 1940 as Better Eyesight Without Glasses. This version was revised several times and is still in print. Its recommendations include “sun treatment” in which the sun is permitted to shine on closed eyes and then on the sclera (white portion of the eye) while looking downward. The book states: “One cannot get too much sun treatment.”

So, same old crap all over again, it seems.

[Philosophocles]

I wouldn’t lend any more credence to something just because they run ad spots on the radio. There are all sorts of radio ads touting the all-curative properties of oregano, aloe vera, baldness cures, etc. There’s a lot of medical quackery on the radio airwaves.

[evilhanz]

*Originally posted by Philosophocles *
**There’s a lot of medical quackery on the radio airwaves. **

And on tv, and in print ads, and on the news, and in magazines… it’s not limited to radio. It’s everywhere. The part about “no medical studies” being conducted is your best indication that the product is based on junk science and/or quackery. Until there are unequivocal studies that show these techniques improve vision, don’t waste your time (and money) on them. An unsubstantiated claim may as well be a false claim.

[samclem]

Going strictly by memory here. If you search, you will find we have discussed this before.

I could be wrong, but the most charitible answer would be, that in an incredibly limited number of cases, exercising some peoples eyes can improve their sight. When you stop exercising, it reverts to your previous state.

If I remember this incorrectly, sue me.

[gbrisson2000]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your feedback! Yeah, I was sure they were quacks. It’s amazing people can get away with stuff like this. And the prices are incredible - $279.85…and $329.85! For what? A couple of books and video (showing a woman putting hot and cold towels on her eyes…) Incredible…Thanks again!