Michael: -3.25 To -0.50 Diopter Progress | Shortsighted Podcast Clips | Endmyopia | Jake Steiner

Summary

In this transcript, the speaker discusses their journey with vision improvement, beginning with high diopters in early 2021. They mention starting with the Bates Method, then transitioning to myopia reduction strategies, including wearing different sets of glasses for close-up and distance work. Over time, they reduced their prescription and began going without glasses in many situations, like watching TV or going outside. The speaker highlights their ongoing efforts to improve vision, the challenges faced, and their excitement for clearer vision, especially in better weather. The discussion emphasizes active focus and engagement with vision.

Takeaways

• 👓 The speaker initially had -3.25 diopters in the right eye and -2.5 diopters in the left eye with a cylinder of -1, as of January 2021.
• 📅 The speaker started their vision improvement journey in January 2021 after noticing worsening vision despite new glasses.
• 💻 Working in an IT job, being on the computer all day made it challenging to function without glasses.
• 📉 The speaker began exploring myopia reduction methods, starting with a strategy called 'Bates Method,' and then moving on to other myopia-focused strategies.
• 🔍 A key approach the speaker adopted was using different glasses for various distances: 'differentials' for close work and 'normalized' for distance.
• 👀 Active focus is described as central to improving eyesight, involving intentionally trying to see more clearly.
• 🕒 The speaker had been wearing the same pair of glasses for five years before starting this journey.
• 👦 The speaker has been wearing glasses since the age of 12, indicating a long history of myopia.
• 🕶️ The speaker currently prefers undercorrection (lower diopter lenses) and is comfortable watching TV and reading without glasses.
• 🌞 They opt to wear glasses primarily in poor lighting conditions but go without them when it is sunny.

Q & A

What were the initial diopters of the speaker's eyes before starting vision improvement?

The speaker initially had a prescription of 3.25 diopters in the right eye and 2.5 diopters in the left eye, with a cylinder of minus one.

When did the speaker start noticing changes in their vision?

The speaker noticed changes in their vision in January 2021, when their right eye became worse despite wearing new glasses for only half a year.

How did the speaker approach vision improvement after noticing deterioration?

The speaker stopped wearing glasses altogether in January 2021 and researched various methods, including the Bates method, to start improving their vision.

What challenges did the speaker face when working on a computer without glasses?

As the speaker has an IT job and works on the computer all day, they found it difficult to work without glasses, particularly because of the strain on their eyes.

What strategy did the speaker use to address their vision problems while working on the computer?

The speaker learned that using two sets of glasses—differentials for close-up work and normalized glasses for distance—was recommended for managing their vision improvement.

How long had the speaker been wearing glasses before starting their vision improvement journey?

The speaker had been wearing glasses since the age of 12, meaning they had been using glasses for quite a long time before starting their improvement journey.

What does the speaker mean by 'active focus,' and why is it central to their vision improvement process?

Active focus is a key practice in their vision improvement process, where the speaker consciously engages their eyes to try and clear blurry objects, which helps to train their vision.

How does the speaker feel about their current level of undercorrection?

The speaker prefers to be undercorrected, believing their actual diopters are around minus 1.25, and they actively work on improving their vision without full correction.

When does the speaker wear their glasses and when do they go without them?

The speaker wears their glasses when the weather is cloudy or rainy, but they tend to go without glasses on sunny days, despite experiencing slight blurriness.

What is the speaker's attitude toward their ongoing vision improvement efforts?

The speaker is highly engaged and optimistic about their vision improvement. They are looking forward to better weather in the spring to further test and enhance their vision without glasses.