This afternoon we had some hazy sun so I took my big eye chart out to the front yard for the first time since last year. I could see 20/50 almost right away (I was about to say without trying!), but I could tell it was mostly from my stronger dominant right eye. I did some separate eye work, back and forth between the left eye alone, then the right. The left eye definitely sees weaker, but holds its own, maybe 20/60 or 20/65, not bad. I’m not usually aware of the difference in acuity between my 2 eyes unless I get stressed or upset. Then my vision declines overall and the left eye gets so much worse it can hardly see a thing. This is a great reason to stay relaxed!
Next I played with fusion, shifting between the double images I saw. These only showed up if I was trying to see details of the letters (emphasis on “trying”) — if I scanned the outline of the entire chart it was a single image. Once I got annoyed at my left eye for not seeing as well as the right one and not working in partnership with it. As soon as I had this thought, the 2 images of the charts started drifting farther and farther apart! I had to laugh — they looked like kites let loose and being carried by the wind! This work can’t be forced, clearly. I went in for a drink of water, and when I came out and looked at the chart, it was a reasonably clear single image. Then I started shifting on the letters and the double images showed up again. I must still be trying when I don’t realize it. Maybe I have to practice glancing!
Overall this was a good session, my vision more steady and consistent than last fall, with much better starting acuity. I used to have to practice with the chart for 10 minutes before I could see this well. I want to do more practice outside while we’ve got the long days. It’s so obvious to me that natural light is the best for my vision.
DreamerSight 
Nancy,
I keep reading over the last year about how your vision is consistently 20/80 to 20/40, and you use charts a lot. I believe you have said more than once that you credit the chart with most of that improvement in clarity.
Right now, my vision is mostly between 20/200 and 20/100, which doesnt’ feel that great. So I’m guessing that if I start using a chart, I should see it get better. Is that how it works?
FMR,
Hi — there are no guarantees, but the eye chart was a key foundational tool of Dr Bates’s work, and I trust h is experience. The chart did a lot for me in slowing me down and teaching me to really LOOK at things, then focus on smaller and smaller areas. My energy used to be all over the place, like a nervous squirrel, darting here and there and never landing. Plus it forced me to be honest about just how limited my vision was — the numbers don’t lie! (and the flip side: any improvement is obvious.) I’d give it a try if I were you, playing with different distances, and waiting a week or 2 before you decide whether to continue or give it up. You might surprise yourself.
Nancy
What do you recommend I use as a chart?
FMR,
Google “Snellen eye chart” and you’ll find some printable free ones you can prop up near your computer or eating place or whatever, and also some ones for sale, like you’d find in an eye doctor’s office, laminated with a matte finish and more sturdy. I have them all over the house, small ones and large ones, as reminders to look carefully, and as early warning signs to me, showing me that if the blur is bad that I’m stressed and need a break.
Don’t get too hung up on the numbers — like a gym routine, proper form is the most important, especially in the beginning, rather than trying to lift more and more weight (see farther and farther down the chart, or from farther and farther away). Have fun with this, seeing it as a new game.
Nancy
Is there one in particular you recommend? I want something that will print at the proper size so the type sizes are the size they are intended to be.
I would probably glue it to cardboard to make it more rigid.
I did try a chart on the past in a half-hearted way (I used to have it on the back of my door in college).
Also, I sent you an email with a personal update the other day. Hopefully you got it.
FMR,
I don’t get too hung up on whether the numbers printed on the charts I print are perfectly accurate, as I can still see progress. My 2 big ones, an eye doctor’s chart I bought on the internet, plus an old one from buying a copy of the Bates book years ago, are accurate. There’s a thread on either iblindness or Effortless Vision about this topic, so if you search for “scale” and “chart” you should be able to find it.
Yes, I got the personal email, and was surprised about your health challenge. I hope you are recovering well.
Nancy
Thank you, Nancy.