084: Glasses - To Wear or Not To Wear? + Does The Bates Method Really Work?

084: Glasses - To Wear or Not To Wear? + Does The Bates Method Really Work?

Author: Nathan Oxenfeld: Certified Teacher of the Bates Method, Yoga, Meditation, a May 25, 2025 Duration: 45:00

In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld shares the audio versions of the two videos he filmed while in Italy.

Part 1 is the Natural Vision Vlog #6 about the role that glasses play in the natural vision training process. Quitting cold turkey is not always the best way to go about improving vision naturally. Sometimes it is better to gradually wean off glasses over time by wearing full correction or reduced prescription lenses. It is important to avoid blur adaptation, which could be an impediment to improvement.

Part 2 is the Bates Method 101 section addressing the basic question of whether the Bates Method really works and if it is really possible to improve vision naturally. Sometimes the prospect of seeing clearly without glasses seems too good to be true, which can lead to doubt, skepticism, and disbelief. Not only is it possible to improve vision naturally, but oftentimes the more someone believes it is possible the more results they obtain.

One thing you can do to begin believing even more is reading the new book A New World Of Seeing: Practices and Perspectives of Natural Vision Improvement, which features articles from 43 authors from 16 countries - all of whom have experienced improvements in their vision naturally. It is available now in paperback or eBook versions, and the audiobook version is coming soon too! Click here to get your copy: https://amzn.to/3VIpRz8 

You can watch both the above videos on Nathan's YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/nathanoxenfeld as well as the previous 5 Natural Vision Vlogs covering topics like swinging, sunning, dry eyes, peripheral awareness, and more.

Listen to the Better Eyesight Podcast at https://bettereyesightpodcast.com or join the Better Eyesight League at https://patreon.com/bettereyesight

Stay tuned for more information about Nathan's next 3 Day Vision Retreat in Vermont in August 2025 and his next 6 Month Vision Improvement Program.

Music by Audionautix & Filo Starquez


What if the strain you feel in your eyes isn't a life sentence, but a habit you can change? The Naked Eye Podcast: Exploring Natural Alternatives to Glasses, Contacts, and Surgeries moves beyond conventional eyecare to investigate a holistic path. Hosted by Nathan Oxenfeld, a certified teacher of the Bates Method, yoga, and meditation, this podcast delves into the often-overlooked connection between how we use our eyes and our overall mental and physical state. Each conversation is a deep dive into practical, natural vision improvement. You’ll hear detailed discussions on techniques like breathwork and specific visual relaxation practices, all framed within the understanding that eyesight is not a static condition but a dynamic sense intertwined with stress, posture, and attention. The goal here isn't just to see a clearer chart, but to cultivate healthier eyes and a more insightful relationship with your own vision. Nathan guides listeners through principles that challenge the assumption that blur is permanent, offering a thoughtful exploration of how alternative methods can lead to tangible changes in daily life. Tune in for a nuanced perspective that redefines what it means to care for your eyes, focusing on the innate capacity for clarity that exists without external aids. This is a space for anyone curious about the potential of their own vision, eager to learn from a teacher who approaches seeing as an integral part of well-being.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

The Naked Eye Podcast: Exploring Natural Alternatives to Glasses, Contacts, and Surgeries
Podcast Episodes
086: Answering Listener Questions Inside an Earthship! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:27
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld recaps the past year's worth of Natural Vision Vlogs and then shares the full audio version of the 12th Vlog filmed inside an Earthship where he reads and…
082: RE-RELEASE - Reversing Astigmatism with Esther Joy van der Werf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:46
In this episode, Nathan Oxenfeld announces the untimely loss of his friend and colleague Esther Joy van der Werf. Nathan and Esther had been teaming up on the Better Eyesight Podcast from 2019-2025, releasing new episode…
081: Anthropology of Eye Care with Anna Bambridge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:16
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher (and anthropologist) Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Anna Bambridge, a natural vision teacher and researcher based in Glasgow, Scotland. The two natural vision educators discuss…
080: Nathan's New York Recap (Conference, Gathering, Retreat) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:17
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld recaps his recent experiences in New York in September and October, including the 5 Day Association of Vision Educators Conference, the 4 Day Teacher Train…
079: The Fascia Vision Connection with Judy Gantz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Judy Gantz about her work with the fascia. Judy is the Director and Founder of the Center for Movement Education and Research. She skillfully bl…
078: Presence and Pinhole Glasses with Peter Grunwald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:00
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher interviews Peter Grunwald, the creator of the Eyebody Method and a special type of pinhole glasses that help get you into a state of "presence" rather than a state of "unde…
077: Cultivating Community in Costa Rica [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
In this solo episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld recounts his recent trip to Central America on an Ecovillage Tour that visited 7 intentional communities in 9 days. Not only was it an enriching exper…
076: Listening To The Eyes with Anat Axelrode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:44
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Anat Axelrode about her unique method called Listening To The Eyes. By learning how to have conversations with the eyes, one can learn valuable…