William Horatio Bates

William Horatio Bates was an eye doctor in the early 20th century who developed a controversial theory that poor eyesight can be improved through natural methods like eye exercises and visual habits, rather than relying solely on glasses. He believed that eye strain from overuse and stress caused vision problems, and that relaxing the eyes could enhance clarity. While his approach gained some followers, mainstream ophthalmology generally considers his methods unproven and unsupported by scientific evidence. Nonetheless, Bates' ideas contributed to ongoing discussions about eye health and the potential for visual relaxation techniques.