John writes:
I started this program in July last year (2013), with about -5.5 for both eyes with astigmatism at about -0.5, and a +2.50 add for reading (I am 60 years old). My glasses were progressives. I suspect I may have bee over-prescribed; the progressives eased that over-prescription a bit as tilting the head back a bit gave a lower prescription effect for whatever I was looking at.
In September, I had a check up and came out with -4.75 OD and -4.25 OS, with an add of +2.00 for reading. Astigmatism was still there.
This weekend, I went for another checkup, and came out with -4.00 for both eyes to read 20/20 (20/25 if with each eye). There is still some astigmatism, and the axes have changed.
So this is good progress! The key is to be patient with (and kind to) yourself.
Another interesting point the optometrist was testing my reading accommodation and was perplexed at what he got: I needed only a +1.00 add. “You’ve got the range of someone in his 40′s,” he said.
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The full thread is here.
Improving range of accommodation is a nice benefit of reducing your reliance of glasses and using active focus as much as possible in your daily life.
A healthy eye shouldn’t need reading glasses until well in your 70s, in most cases.
While this is not as reliable as an expected development as reducing myopia, John’s experience is mirrored in what I have witnessed in hundreds of similar cases, over the years. Once you begin taking your eyesight health seriously, take steps to reduce the use of prescriptions, your eyes natural ability tends to recover well.
Our eyes are an amazing feat of biology, able to adjust to changing stimulus and environment. Thanks to John for taking the time to share his experience, I hope his account provides you with courage and motivation for your own vision goals.
Enjoy!
