Hi Hans,
I think that "true prevention", is indeed very difficult - for most of us. But, for yourself, I truly believe it is possible. There are a lot of misconceptions published (and believed) in "medical circles", and it is difficult for me, or you to deal with them. That is a very large problem -- and requires a lot of thought to deal with them.
It is very important that you judge that your efforts are correct as science. There is a lot of confirmation, in science, that the eye is (sadly) highly responsive to a "negative environment", that our modern society forces on us. I think you are developing the wisdom to understand that issue -- for your own personal advantage.
The quality of a scientists -- is to be objective. It is his quality, to make objective measurements of your own visual acuity on your brightly-lit Snellen. For Germany, you must exceed the 20/30 line. It is reasonable to quit wearing any minus when you achieve that result.
But to do better, you must continue to wear the plus on a regular basis. There are people who will object to protecting their distant vision - by wearing a plus for near. It is because they do not understand the science that supports the need for plus prevention, and you can not prescribe it. That is where your growing personal education, in science and engineering can help you.
For me, wearing the plus, is like, "brushing my teeth on a regular basis". Can I prove that it is necessary? No I can not. But I agree, that wearing a plus (for near) is like that. You must trust yourself, and future learning about this issue, to take that responsibility. This is why you must be 18 years old, and entering a four year college - to do it.
The reason, is that if you were a "casual" person at age 26 years ( out of school ), I could not tell you that your refractive state will continue "negative" at a rate of -1/2 diopter per year - for each year in school, for the next six years.
But I can tell you that - because it is the truth.
That means, to me, that there can't be any cure - at all. It also means that after you begin to see 20/20, objectively, you must continue with the plus.
Thus people who claim and "cure", are making a mistake. But with the wisdom to face facts, you would know enough, to re-start with the plus, when you quit wearing it - for some time.
I assume, that you will continue with the plus, and will eventually see objective 20/20, and will continue with the plus for a few months. Then you can quit for some time.
But our natural eyes "responsiveness" to long term near, will mean that you can expect to 'start down' again, as long as you are in school.
But now, checking your own Snellen, you will not it is time to re-start plus lens wear - and get back to 20/20.
That is exactly what my nephew Keith did. That is what you can do. Medical people simply are not involved, and can offer no help with this. There job is never prevention, so we should not get them involved with this subject.
I will respond to your additional question, in due course. They are all good, and need to be understood.
Hi Mr. Otis,
>> Plus = habit
I am wearing the plus during ALL close work. It is now a habit for me to wear it. I do not have to think about it - I just do it.
>> My visual acuity
In the evening, when I get slowly tired, I am able to read 20/20 (1/2 of the letters, not completely) but in the next morning, I am again about 20/30. This shows me hopefully that I am making progress.
>> Motivation and believe in plus
Because I have seen progress, I am motived in wearing the plus. When I wear my old glasses (before ortho-k) now (with -1.25), the image is over focused (is that term correct?), i.e. the glasses are too strong. I see progress when I watch TV (about 20 feet distance
). Sometimes, I can (almost clearly) read the "SAMSUNG" down on the TV.
>> Own experience: talking about plus prevention
My sister is a student (25 years) and she does much close work. When I went to the OD with her, she had -0.25 on both eyes, but did not want to have glasses because she sees good, she says. I talked to her about my vision recovery and that I bought plus glasses to reverse myopia. Well, she was confused and she believed myopia is caused by genetics. Of course, the OD confirmed that.
>> Further questions
Mr. Otis, you say the normal eye has a refractive state about 0 to +2 diopters (positive refractive state) in an open environment. When the refractive state is positive, does the eye have to accommodate all the time while looking in the distance? If so, why does the eye not want to compensate and get to 0.0 diopters? If not, when does the eye have to accommodate with a positive refractive state (in the distance)?
Kind regards,
Hans