Topic: NBab -- from 20/80 to pass the DMV at 20/30


Dear Vision-Clearing friends,

I like to establish the "initial" Snellen reading BEFORE a
person "starts" with the plus. NBab had 20/80 (about a -1.25 to
-2.00 prescription -- if he had a M.O. PRESCRIBE a minus.
Fortunatly he never "accepted" a minus. Currently, (8/6/06) Nbab
checks out at 20/40 (after wearing a +1.25 diopter lens for some
time). I can never predict if a person will PERSIST in the use of
a plus -- and "success" is dependent on making plus-prevention a
habit. In any event, here is NBab's first post -- just to
document it. NBab now has a +2.5 diotpers (a necessary change,
when his Snellen goes from 20/80 to 20/40). As his refractive
STATE moves from about -2.0 diopters to -0.5 diotpers, that
increase in "plus" is necessary -- to continue the vision-clearing
process.

Otis

++++++++++++++

Nbab> do you think i can like improve my vision to 20/20 if i play
basketball like 5 hours a day like outdoors or in gyms

Nbab> cause i'll be playing a lot everyday to like play in the nba

Nbab> right now i have like 20/80

============

Dear Nbab,

Subject: Playing basket ball with 20/80 vision.

If you can play basketball without that minus -- then that is
wonderful.

Just working without the minus (if you can manage it) is the
first step of prevention.

But rember, vision-clearing is a very slow process.

Best,

Otis

---------------

Nbab> do you think i can like improve my vision to 20/20 if i play
basketball like 5 hours a day like outdoors or in gyms

NBab> cause i'll be playing a lot everyday to like play in the
NBA.

Nbab> right now i have like 20/80

[Comment: Of ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT -- I think this
type of "outside" basketball playing is essential. That
fact that Nbab LOVES to do it -- is great for Nbab. If he
"sticks" with the plus, I think he will pass the DMV with
flying colors. OSB]


Otis> I hope that NBab can continue his vision clearing with his
+2.5 diopters -- and PERSISTANCE. The goal is always to
exceed the DMV requirement, so there is NEVER a legal
requirement that he EVER wear and over-prescribed minus.
Here is the continued disccussion:

+++++++

Dear Nbab,

Otis> Some suggestions:

Otis> The essense of prevention is that you read your own Snellen
-- and that you accept the requirement to PASS all legal
visual-acuity requirments. As a practical matter this means
reading the 20/40 line -- and not necessarily the 20/20
line.

Otis> I would urge you to set 20/40 as your immediate goal -- that
you can reasonably expect to achieve.

Otis> Assuming that you check your Snellen in good light, then:

Nbab> ok i been using plus lenses for months/weeks, like a 1.0+ or
a 1.5+, i forgot

Nbab> i was wondering if i should buy new plus lenses, since now
the plus lenses i have now is quite less blury

Otis> A very good indication of vision-clearing, is when what you
see through the plus -- becomes less blurry. That is
SUCCESS.

Otis> So I would go get a plus 1/2 to +3/4 D stronger (consistent
with comfort).

Nbab> Is it that the more blurier the plus lenses, the faster you
get 20/20 vision?

Otis> It is an excellent indication that the plus is having the
desired effect, in that your refractive STATE is changing in
a poisitive direction -- and your Snellen is clearing.

Nbab> so if i go buy a 5.0+ which is super blury, would i get
20/20 in like less than a week?

Otis> No, it does not "work" that way. Just go for an increase of
1/2 to 1 diopters -- and recommended by Stirling Colgate.
Always consistent with comfort. The idea is to make this
work a "habit".

Otis> Remember -- this is difficult work -- and takes persistance.

Otis> Check your Snellen, and aim to PASS the 20/40 line (read 1/2
the letters correctly). That is real success when you
achieve it.

Best,

Otis

nbaballer

+++++++++


Nbab> um, i checked my vision at your mypiofree website, and i it
says i have 20/40 vision

Nbab> The line is 1.5 inches my reading distance was 9
feet(measured with a yardstick) i read the letters of 20/40
half of it correctly

Nbab> I used to though my vision was way worst

+++++++

Dear Nbab,

Otis> The first step in science -- is to make your OWN
MEASUREMENTS -- as you have done it. If you are like me,
finally, I only "trust" measurements I make myself. That
way there is no doubt.

Otis> The 1.5 inche (line) is typical for more monitors. I
believe you said you were 15 years old, or in high school.

Nbab> um, i checked my vision at your mypiofree website, and i it
says i have 20/40 vision

Otis> You MEASURED OBJECTIVLY 20/40 vision. That is good -- but
you should continue working with this plus -- to clear some
more. I would aim for at least 20/30 -- to make certain you
pass the DMV when the time comes.



Nbab> the line is 1.5 inches my reading distance was 9
feet(measured with a yardstick) i read the letters of 20/40
half of it correctly

Otis> That most likely will pass the DMV. But it would be wise to
"step up" to about a +2.25 diopter lens -- as use the
stronger plus as you were using the +1.25 diopter lenses.
Remember this is a SLOW process -- so just make it a habit.

Nbab> used to though my vision was way worst

Otis> Recommendation: Before you go for any eye-exam, be certain
to check your Snellen. There are tragicallly many
majority-opinion ODs who will WAY over- prescribed the
minus. By passing the 20/40 line, you can avoid an
excessively strong minus, and that first step into
stair-case myopia.

Otis> Keep up the good work. If you will persist in this work
(when necessary) you can keep your distant vision clear
through high school and college -- when your freinds will
lose their distant vision to the over- prescribed minus.
But you must always pass that DMV test -- and take PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO ALWAYS DO SO.

Keep us posted as to your thoughts.

Best,

Otis


NBab> i bought a 2.50+ today, and wow, its blurry, i'll tell you
made results in a week


Dear Nbab,

One thing is certain. It takes a "strong will" to implement
plus-prevention.

It is these "qualities" of motivation that can make
"prevention" successful. It is not "easy" -- by any judgment.
But you will:

1. Save your distant vision.

2. Avoid that minus lens (for $350).

3. Avoid stair-case myopia (several $350 glasses)

4. Avoid the need for contacts. ( $200 )

5. Avoid the need for Lasik ($ 4,000)


At the point you are close to passing the DMV -- I think you
are very wise to continue -- and to "up-grade" to +2.5 D. It will
take some time to get used to that plus -- but in time your 20/40
will get more "solid" -- and you will go on to 20/30 -- if you can
make that "plus" a habit.

My nephew continues to use the plus for reading. But he is
an athlete, and greatly values passing the Snellen -- under HIS
CONTROL.

So keep us posted -- on any topic you wish to discuss.

I think you are doing GREAT!

Otis


==============

Off-topic:


http://www.la-sight.com/LS_commDetail.asp?index=103

Here is an 18 year-old at -2.0 diopters and 20/80 -- as you
were. Many ask the question, why not just get the minus lens?

The real answer is this: Yes, it works "instantly", and
required no effort on your part. But then you get "stair-case"
myopia, and your vision gets WORSE.

Or, why not Lasik -- it s $4,000 -- but so EASY.

The answer is that even after Lasik, your eyes STILL GO DOWN
IN A 4 YEAR COLLEGE. Then you need another "touch up" for another
$4,000.

While these "quick-fixes" work -- they never solve any
problems.

I know that the work with the plus 2.5 diopter takes
persistance -- but you never have to wear a -2 diopter -- that
slides around on your face -- and makes "shots" and physical
coordination difficult.

I know I can NEVER tell a person what he should do. That
MUST be your choice.

But since you are at 20/40 -- you potentially have control of
your distant vision -- if you stick with it.

It does take time.

Otis


nbaballer



NBab> when i bought the 2.5 plus, i worn it the first day for like
5 hours or so, the next day, i started seeing halos and my
eyes kind of hurted, but then i just rested my eyes for a
while that day, and it doesn't hurt and i dont see halos
anymore


Nbab> well that day, i didn' feel like wearing it

Nbab> but now everything is good, just getting adjusted to the new
2.5+ lense

---------------------

Dear NBab,

Subject: Getting used to the peventive +2.5 diopters.

I know that using the plus takes time.

I know you want your vision "clear" for basketball. That is
an excellent objective.

I know you read Dr. Colgate's experience with the plus --
and his success with it.

But it DOES take time and persistance.

You KNOW that I wish I had this kind of support when I was at
20/80 -- and NEVER received any support. That is why I post on
YaBB.

Just continue this preventive process. Using an $8 plus
(under YOUR CONTROL) beats paying $ 4,000 for Lasik. And even
then, the Lasik will not prevent re- entry into nearsighdness --
as we have seen as posted by Eric on YaBB.

We all pray for your contined success.

We ALL NEED ENCOURAGEMENT for this difficult but worthwile
goal.

Our eyes were "designed" for distant vision most of the time.
And the plus enables us to RESPECT that requirement of our natural
eyes.

Best,

Otis


-------------------------------------------------------------

Nbab> the eye chart on myopiafree.com doesn't work


NBab> also would i need to get like 3+ or 3.5 later on after if
the 2.5+ i have now is less blurry

Nbab> or in other words

Nbab> would the 2.5+ i have now get me to 20/20 or would i have to
buy higher pluses in the future

============


Dear NBab,

Subject: The Snellen.

The standard line you must pass is the 20/40 line. This is
3/4 inch letters at 20 feet. You can use letters from the news
paper -- if necessary. There are two Snellens. Eye Chart 1 can
be printed. I would use that around the house and outdoors. I
will checn the monitor (Eye Chart #2) shortly. But the main thing
is have confidence in youself that you can read 1/2 the letters
correctly.


NBab> also would i need to get like 3+ or 3.5 later on after if
the 2.5+ i have now is less blurry


Otis> That is a possibility -- however Stirling Colgate found the
+2.5 diopters to be fine. The main thing is just to make
the use of the lens a "habit". And, in time, be confident
you can pass the 20/40 line for the DMV.



Nbab> or in other words would the 2.5+ i have now get me to 20/20
or would i have to buy higher pluses in the future

Otis> I think that once you start seeing all of the 20/40 and some
of the 20/30 you MIGHT consider a stronger plus. But that
will be your choice.

Good luck for now. I KNOW THIS IS DIFFICULT -- in the sense
of persistance.

There are no easy ways.

Best,

Otis

=====================

Dear Nbab,

Yes, you are right!

The U. of B. Snellen is not available. I liked that chart
-- easy to use, with random letters.

Just use the printable charts.

If you wish to check the down-loadable, then check the 20/40
line for 3/4 inch letters -- just to make certain.

Best,

Otis


------------------------------------------------------------

Nbab> wow, i just checked myeyesight and i am AMAZED


Nbab> ok i printed out the donwloadable one ok so i went outside,
which is bright outside, and i measured 20 feet, and i taped
the snellen eyechart onto the wall,

Nbab> i can read all correctly but kind of not clear" like 20% of
the whole letter not clear" at 20/30 line


Nbab> amazing in just 3 days of wearing the new plus, i been
wearing it about 6-7 hours each day, sometimes i get tempted
to take it off when watching tv or reading since i have to
like lean my head forward to watch which is uncomfrotable,
but its good news at 20/30 line!!!!

Nbab> hopefully nxet week, i have 20/20!!!!!!!!

Nbab> thanks otis

nbaballer


===================


Nbab> my night vision isn't good, like i can't really see in
dim/dark places well. any suggestions?

------------


Dear Nbab,

Subject: Great success!

My goal was to get you better-than 20/40 -- to pass the DMV.
That still remains my only goal. I know that vision "varies" from
time-to-time -- but I rejoice in your success!!!

Nbab> wow, i just checked myeyesight and i am AMAZED


Nbab> ok i printed out the donwloadable one ok so i went outside,
which is bright outside, and i measured 20 feet, and i taped
the snellen eyechart onto the wall,

i can read all correctly but kind of not clear" like 20% of
the whole letter not clear" at 20/30 line

Otis> The industry "standard" is that you "guess" 1/2 the letters
correctly. Please use that standard. The main thing is to
reliably pass the 20/40 line. Anything better than that is
pure "gravy". There are people reading this (at -4 to -6
diopters) who could only DREAM of doing what you just did.
But you must keep it up for a few months, till 20/40 is
"stable". I think basketball is a large part of your
success. Any sport like that is WONDERFUL FOR YOUR EYES.

Nbab> amazing in just 3 days of wearing the new plus, i been
wearing it about 6- 7 hours each day, sometimes i get
tempted to take it off when watching tv or reading since i
have to like lean my head forward to watch which is
uncomfrotable, but its good news at 20/30 line!!!!

Otis> That is what Stirling Colgate said. There is some
"discomfort" but the end result is worth is. Also, you went
from 20/80 (about a -2 diopter perscription) to 20/30 -- for
the price of 2 plus lenses for $8 each. You saved $4,000 -
$16 = $3984.

Otis> Not to mention your basketball career. You must continue
this process -- when you see your Snellen go below 20/40.
But that is the "price" we pay to kee our distant vision
clear through the school years. It is worth it in my
opinion.

Nbab> hopefully nxet week, i have 20/20!!!!!!!!

Otis> Not to be a "wet blanket" -- but 20/20 is very, very, sharp
vision. It will come in time -- but very few people are
LEGALLY required to have it.

Otis> Most of us would be happy if we could just pass the DMV.
Count your blessings my friend.

Nbab> thanks otis

Otis> Always glad to help.