I’ve haven’t used my Snellen chart since my last post, and have been mostly focusing on how I use my vision throughout the day. However, my default vision has seemed to improve since I stopped testing it with the chart.
A major thing that I’ve been trying to do (and is very difficult with glasses on) is to see with my central and peripheral vision at the same time. This reminded me of Jacob Liberman, who was able to see clearly through the use of open focus. It seems that his normal vision was too focused on the center of his visual field. So, when he relaxed and saw with all parts of his visual field, he was able to see clearly in the center. I haven’t read his book recently, so I’m not sure if he attributed the cause of his myopia to the center-focused vision (pretty much tunnel vision) or the other way. Anyway, I seem to have the same problem as Liberman had. So, I’ve been trying to see with all parts of my visual field, the edges of my peripheral vision to the center, and have had much success with it. I especially notice this with reading words at the edge of the blur zone; when I use an open focus way of seeing, the words at the center are seen clearer.
Another way I’ve thought about this cause/symptom of my myopic condition is that currently I am doing central fixation. However, to have clear vision I only need to have central fixation. The difference between the two (myopic/emmetropic) is that the former uses central fixation as a focused action (a verb) while the latter has central fixation as a way of seeing (a noun). This is a difference that I’ve seen Robert from the Effortless Vision website describe, but now I have experienced the difference for myself. For a practical example, I’ve observed lately that when I use the computer, read, watch T.V., or do any other relatively close-distance activity, I am only aware of what I am directly looking at in the center; I would only see the computer/television screen and none of the desk or walls or objects around the computer/television. In order to change this, when I use the computer or watch televison now, I try to also notice the rest of the room beyond and in front of the screen. This is a change for me since I can tell that previously I pretty much turned off my peripheral vision when I did those activities.
While I look around with the open focus state of seeing the entire visual field at once, I am not trying to see everything clearly. I just notice everything within my area of vision and realize (mentally) that the very center is the clearest.
Since my problem (and solution 🙂 ) seem to match Liberman’s, I think I just need to do what he did to clear his vision. He practiced open focus every day for longer periods of time until it became the dominant way of seeing for him. That (along with long swinging since it also helps me) will be my current technique for improving my vision. 8)
Mark825's Blog 
Mark,
This is a great post; I am having the same experience. I wrote about this recently on my blog, using my whole eye instead of just the center. My understanding is that minus glasses focus light right on the center of the eye, so the other parts of the retina are not being activated, getting sluggish. Now without glasses I am trying to re-activate them, through my night vision walks or being aware of my periphery (even though it isn’t clear there). This is still not a natural habit for me yet, but like you I do think it’s giving me some visual improvement. I’ve also noticed that if I get anxious, it means I am over-focusing (tunnel vision). If I can use more of my eye to do the seeing, it calms me down.
Nancy
I’ve been reading your posts over the last couple of weeks, and I think your descriptions of “seeing with the whole eye” are what started me on this new path. It’s also interesting what you said about minus lenses: they focus light only on the center of the retina. From what I’ve learned about lenses, this seems to be true. This could explain why people who wear minus glasses commonly have tunnel vision. It also explains why seeing with my peripheral vision is not a natural habit right now.
Mark,
Hi — the mental image which really cements this concept of too much light blasted only into the center of my eye is a magnifying glass focusing a ray of sunlight to fry an ant, something kids do. The sunlight is not meant to be used like a laser! Esther in her Visions of Joy work uses the idea of a tiny ant to teach the idea of central fixation, the ant wandering over the letters, your eye following that darkest spot & not spacing out staring at the whole letter at once. (Maybe this is in her e-course which I helped her edit.) So the little friendly ant is helping my central fixation, & wearing glasses is frying him! I guess this is a bit of a mixed metaphor, but it helped me. Thanks for listening…
Nancy
Hey,
me too I have the same sensations recently, that my normal is currently looking at an object (not too small one) and not having periphery which is less clear.
So I work on that central fixation throughout the day, trying to think about it in every activity I do (which for some is really hard to impossible, because it requires a lot of attention).
I realize now that “using the whole eye” means the same thing. And the nice part is that the more I try to look at a smaller part, the more I have periphery which is less clear; and the more I notice my periphery and notice it being less clear, the more I look at a smaller part of an object. In any case it seems a bit clearer, and it feels very nice and relaxed which is not only in the eyes but a whole-body sensation.
I believe this to be also for me the main current issue that I should work on, and try to make my default visual habit.
Another thought, currently while practicing and looking at one small thing, I am concentrated on very little visual information. I assume later on, automatic rapid shifting has to become natural so that I get the whole picture eventually. What do you think? this has to do for sure with the shifting post of Sorrisi 🙂
Fuoco: I’m glad you’re noticing central fixation better. Just remember that central fixation is a state of seeing and not an action. While it is good that the center of your visual field is getting clearer and smaller, don’t forget to keep noticing the periphery. Seeing with your whole eye means seeing the periphery and the center at the same time, but only the center is the clearest part.
Keep up the good work. 🙂