Subject:  Working towards "fighter pilot" vision (20/15)

Dear Jon,

Subject:  Official Standards of Measurement

Re:  Jon:  Comments on stair-case myopia

        FOUNDATION OF EXCELLENCE

    "Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes.  Therefore
give yourself fully to your endeavors.    Decide to construct your
character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price
of a worthy goal.  The trials you encounter will introduce you to
your strengths.  Remain steadfast...and one day you will build
something that endures; something worthy of your potential."

               Epictetus, Philosopher, 55-135 AD

    I am deeply impressed with your success.  Your reports to me
are very valuable.  I needed to know how "repeatable" your
eye-chart readings were.  The "variation" of 1/4 to 1/3 diopter
are normal.  Your willingness to continue at the 20/25 "plateau"
put you far above the ability of most people.  (They would have
quit at that point.)

    When you contacted me, I was concerned that you get rid of
that minus lens, by exceeding the legal requirement of 20/40 or
better.  When you did that, the medical issue was resolved.

    The "official" standard of measurement says that when you
read 20/20 your refractive status is zero or better.  This is also
the definition of "emmetropia".

    What you are now "seeing" through a -3/4 D lens is called
"best visual acuity".  Thus your retina is capable of 20/15, 20/12
and even 20/10.

    If you wish to continue this work, then it is "pure
scientific" work indeed.  It does mean that your refractive status
must change by about +0.75 diopters to get to that level.

    It should be helpful to know that monkeys in the wild have
refractive status from zero to +2.0 diopters, with the average
being about +0.75 diopters.  This is a valuable and normal
refractive status.

    The people entering the Naval Academy with superior vision
have a refractive status of about this level.

    This will again require more work of you.    You are now in
total control.    It is of value to me -- just to know that you can
do it.

    Some additional commentary:

    _______________________________________________

Jon > I still retain my 20/20 vision, reading 5/5 characters on
     the 20/20 line!  I've been busy lately which is why i
     haven't been emailing you as often.  Things are so clear --
     I don't really notice any blur -- what a change from last
     year!

Otis> I know when you were "fighting" towards 20/20 you had many
     doubts.  But after you get to 20/20, and look back, it does
     not seem as difficult as it was when you were doing the
     work.  Well done!

Jon > I have heard that clearing vision with the plus lens takes
     longer than for your vision to get worse, I disagree.  The
     fact that I managed to delete two to three years of myopia
     in about 9 months suggests otherwise.

Otis> That is because of the total effort you made.  Most people
     simply do not have that "drive" to succeed.

Jon > If I had never worn glasses before and had never heard of
     nearsightedness ...

Otis> The great value to you in doing the work successfully is
     that you

1.  Know you can do it.

2.  You now believe and KNOW it is possible.

3.  As a scientist-engineer -- you made all the measurements
   yourself.  In my mind, that is the ONLY way this method will
   work at the present time.  In the future, some optometrists
   may be able to use the method on their own children's.

Jon > I wouldn't notice blurry vision at this point, because my
     vision seems to clear, and its going to get twice as clear
     in the coming months.

Otis> Your awareness of the eye chart, and your "clearing" work is
     the final proof of results seen by Francis Young, Stirling
     Colgate and Howard Howland.

Jon > Today in class the teacher turned off all the lights and put
     a projected image on the board.  It was a little blurry but
     i could make it out, as was the same for a lot of other
     people,

Otis> A large number of people do have the zero-diopter 20/20
     vision.

Jon > ...naturally the teacher asked me to read some of it, I made
     it out and read it.  The is one instance where i am so happy
     i have improved my vision with the plus lens.

Otis> You are happy.  I am ecstatic!  It is great to see you
     succeed -- given the profound hostility I get from my
     "advocacy".

Jon > There was one person in particular who sat behind me that
     wore glasses for nearsightedness who couldn't make out some
     of the smaller print.

Otis> The minus lens (tragically) only temporarily clears.  Inside
     of 9 to 12 months, the vision continues "down".  This is the
     tragic situation for that poor kid.

Jon > The boys started making fun of him because he wore glasses
     and could barely read it, and they didn't wear glasses and
     could read it perfectly,

Otis> While they may make "fun" of that poor child young now, in
     the coming years many of them will become nearsighted
     themselves.  The "laughter" will be about THEIR POOR VISION.

Jon > ...it would sound weird to a person who didn't understand,
     but i knew why he couldn't see the board, because of
     stair-case myopia.

Otis> That is exactly "it".  What a profound tragedy of inept
     understanding.  I am pleased you now completely understand
     this situation the way you do -- exclusively for your own
     benefit.

Jon > He had the same problem late in the school year last year
     and got a stronger pair of glasses, now the vicious cycle
     has started all over again.

Otis> And the ODs on sci.med.vision PROMOTE this stair-case
     myopia.  Tragic and blind beyond belief!    And I am told by
     "Jan" that the concept of true-prevention with a plus,
     "...must be destroyed".

Jon > I have a focal state of about -1 to -3/4D and yet have 20/20
     vision, I really must have a good retina!

Otis> Buy the "classical" definition you have 20/20 and a
     refractive status of zero.  Your "best visual acuity" is
     20/10 through a -3/4 diopter lens.

Jon > The fact that a -3/4D lens clears me to the 20/10 line can
     get confusing sometimes, because I can begin to think that
     my vision is better (diopter wise) than it really is.

Otis> 20/20 is superior vision.  If you choose to continue your
     work to better-than 20/20, and achieve 20/15, then your
     refractive status will be "positive" by about +1/2 to +3/4
     diopter by the "classical" and traditional method of
     eye-measurement.

Otis> Keep me posted on your work and your decision to continue.
     I always enjoy hearing from you!    If you do manage to clear
     to 20/15, that will be the final step indeed.

Otis> Always remember Steve Leung.  I can "push" this idea as much
     as possible, but I need the "backing" of a true-professional
     like Steve to make this process work.  Please write him a
     few sentences about your successful efforts.  He comes under
     severe pressure to "shut up" about prevention with a plus.

Best,

Otis

Jon