Vision Restoration Charts

When I had Crystalens placed, I was given a vision restoration chart, which I'm supposed to read at least two times a day to get the muscles of my eyes working again.  Is there any evidence that these charts actually work?

If you can get your eyes working again by reading exercise charts, couldn't anyone with poor vision improve their vision by reading a vision restoration chart?

[Forum-OD-MP]

yes, the restoration charts can help.  if you've been presbyopic for a long time and havent focused your eye for a long time, then some amount of accommodative vsion therapy is definitely indicated.

NO, using those charts would not help the vast majority of people with vision problems.  only those with ACCOMMODATIVE vision problems.

trust me if it were that easy there would be a lot less employed eye doctors.

[Ag-i-doc]

no.  if you see bad far away but good up close, that is NOT an accommodative problem.

no, most eye/vision problems are NOT caused by problems "focusing".  they are mostly caused by refractive error (and of course eye disease).

this is a fairly complicated question.  i would need to get into some fairly heavy optics and physiology to explain why some people see poorly at various differences.  but the short answer is...its not nearly as simple as one would think it is, and NO fairly few problems are "accommodatve".

[Jenta]

Sorry,  ;) I didn't realize is was that complicated.  

But that may explain why my doctor used the lenses he did in my eyes.  I could always see up close to read, but had trouble with distance.  Now, with my new crystal lenses, I can see at a distance and intermediate, but I am having to "retrain" my eyes to see close up to read.  With what you describe, that would make sense to me.  

Thanks so much!

[Jenta]

Can you explain what you mean by "accomodative?"  I know my lenses are called accomodative lenses, but If I had a problem focusing at a distance, but could see close up ok, isn't that an accomodative problem as well?

Aren't most vision problems caused by the eyes not being able to focus properly at the required distance?  Whether farsighted or nearsighted?  Do restoration charts only work if your problem is for close up?

Thanks for your response.  

Jenta

[Eagle eyes]

The best way I explain it to our patients is this -->  Accommodation --think of a camera lens that zooms in and out to bring an object into focus. You zoom in or out to make an object sharp either close or far away. When we are young, our lenses are able to "zoom" or "Accommodate" without any help. This is done by tiny little "zonules" or spider web-like  band that suspend the lens. The zonules stretch like rubber bands to change the shape of the natural lens (before cataracts develop-which just means the lens is cloudy). By changing the shape of the lens (naturally), one is able to focus in on the object regardless of the distance. Once we become "presbyopic" or have about 40 or so birthdays!, the zonules become a bit flabby and don't stretch as much- therefore, the lens is not as easy to change shapes, becomes harder and thicker also as we age. This means no zooming in and out / no accommodation. Solution at that point -- readers, contact lenses, or lens implant surgery - preferably ReZoom because of it's intermediate vision and predictability. Crystalens is less predictable. ReSTOR doesn't give good intermediate. Hope this helps.

[NURSELPN]

Do you know anything about decompression surgery for TED?

[Eagle eyes]

Not enough to comment

[NURSELPN]

Thanks anyway!  God Bless!