Dear Second-opinion friends,

    Some more commentary on using Ortho-K to clear to 20/20, followed
by strong use of a +3 diopter to retain distant vision.

Otis

    ==============

Dear Yves,

    The reason I make my "pitch" to would-be pilots is because I
know how difficult plus-prevention is.

    To a certain extent you must believe it is possible to do it
-- before you do it successfully -- if that makes sense.

    That is why my site has the "Eskimo" data on it, as well as
the "primate" data.  By itself "facts" are not convincing, but
they do "point the way".

    We both know that plus-prevention is an INTRUSION in your
life -- intended exclusively for your own personal benefit.

    By that I mean that "I" do not tell you what to do, but
rather you explore the concept and then YOU determine what YOU
wish to do for your visual future.

    I am VERY interested in your progress by working
interactively with Ortho-K and the plus, since I am not aware of
anyone who has done it they way you plan to do it.

    You got it right!  Use Ortho-K for a week or so, and then
stop and rely on the +3 diopter for all close work that is
convenient.

    I expect that your corneas will spring back, and your Snellen
will start down towards 20/50.    When that happens, just re-start
the Ortho-K again.

    I think that at each iteration the amount that your Snellen
"comes down" will be less and less, until you will retain 20/40 or
better as required.

    As Stirling Colgate said, with periods of LONG close work,
his Snellen would come "down" so he just re-started with the plus
and cleared it when necessary.

    More commentary:

    +++++++++++++++=

Yves wrote:

Yves> For the record, i'm not a pilot, lol :) Not sure how that
     myth started Maybe someday i'll try...

Otis> I started the myth ...  sorry!  Most people will not "do
     Ortho-K" unless they have pilot-motivation.

Yves> But i do finally believe now that Plus prevention works.

Otis> Good, but only you will know this when you can retain 20/20
     with no further use of Orth-K.  I would suspect it will take
     from 3 to 5 months.  But I can not predict it.

Yves> I'm starting to notice that by the end of the day after I
     use the +3 for 8 hours at work, my vision actually improves
     since I was just able to see half of the 20/10 line at night
     more than 12 hours after taking the ortho-k off.

Otis> That is INCREDIBLE.  The goal is official 20/20, and most of
     the DMVs only require 20/50 to 20/40.

Yves> I think i'm starting to realize why plus prevention takes
much longer for people with higher Diopter, the main reason
     is the dependence on minus at some point during the day,
     which probably kills the whole plus prevention effort.

Otis> That is correct.    A strong minus is impressive, and often
     over-prescribed (i.e., strong enough to create 20/15
     vision).    That is impressive and "sells".  Tragically the
     majority-opinion ODs refuse to believe that their is a
     "secondary" effect, in that:

1.  The original issue (eye adapts to near) is NEVER addressed,
     and,

2.  The total belief that a minus has no effect on the natural
     eye's refractive state.

Otis> They believe this AGAINST a massive body of scientific
     evidence that says the exact opposite.  Oh, well...

Yves> With ortho-k however there is no minus grudge to mess up
     your vision, so you can understand and see the results much
     clearer.

Otis> I am pleased you took that step with Ortho-K.  That could be
     a "selling point" for Ortho-K, and I would support it.
     Getting to 20/20 very quickly is impressive to BOTH of us.
     The only issue is to retain it, and slowly reduce and end
     the use of Ortho-K.  Or at least that is the "hope" for now.

Yves> That's my opinion...  This weekend i'll try to skip a day
     and see what happens.  Will keep you posted.

Otis> All posting here are VERY INTERSTED.  Keep up the good work
     and commentary -- about any subject you wish.

Yves> Thanks Otis for everything you are trying to do to let the
     people understand the second opinion.

Otis> Excellent!  There is many a pilot who could learn from you!

Otis> Life is a journey.  So let us travel this road together.

**********

On Jan 24, 4:20 pm, "otisbr...@pa.net" <otisbr...@pa.net> wrote:

Dear Second-opinion friends,

    Yves (name changed) contacted me about the plus.

    He was about -2 diopters and 20/140.  After several months
of using the plus he saw no progress and he suggested Ortho-K.

    So he did Ortho-K and is planning to combine BOTH Ortho-K AND
the use of a +3 diopter lens for all computer and reading work.

    As always, keep an open mind about scientific prevention
of a negative refractive STATE for the fundamental eye.
(Ref:  the Wildsoet blue-tint dynamic eye concept.)

    Here is his commentary for your interest.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Dear Yves,

    Subject:  Question About Ortho-K and Plus Prevention

    I think your reports are great.

    The effect of strong Ortho-K is to make your refractive STATE
POSITIVE.

    Or, you could read the Snellen through a plus 1 diopter lens.

    I personally think is will take some time to "anchor" your
20/20 vision with heavy use of the plus 3 diopter lens.

    So 20/20 is indeed wonderful.  But be patient.  I think it is
going to take about 3 months before you "hold" 20/20 with no
Ortho-K.  (As an engineer and pilot I am always "cautious" -- as
you understand.)

    But you are the "leader" so just do what you think is
necessary, and report to your fellow pilots on your efforts.

    We are all (including me) learning from YOU.

    More commentary:

====================

Yves wrote:

Yves> Today when driving back home from work it was unbelievable.
     I have never been able to see so good at night before,
     everything was as sharp as during the day if not sharper.  I
     came home and looked at my snellen and i could see the 20/15
     line with both eyes.  In the morning it was 20/20.  All day
     at work I wore the +3 lens in front of the computer...

Otis> You are doing it RIGHT!!

Yves> The interesting thing i noticed with the plus 3 is that if i
     look at the screen and then take off the glasses and try to
     focus my eyes on the monitor, i really feel how hard my eyes
     are trying to see the screen in front of me.  This really
     must stress the eye muscles a lot.

Otis> I agree with you.  We should be TAUGHT to use the plus as
     soon as our refractive STATE moves from a positive value
     (20/20) to slightly minus.  This is my major objection to
     Dr.  Catman Grants incredible arrogance and associated
     ignorance.  But that is the majority-opinion for you.

Yves> I think i realize now why my vision has gotten so bad with
     prolonged computer use.  I can't believe OD's prescribe
     minus glasses and let people wear them in front of the
     computer...  that's just plain horrible.

Otis> I always appreciate HONESTY.  I TRUSTED a man like Catman
     Grant.  I AM RESPONSIBLE for my bad habits -- but he as a
     PROFESSIONAL responsibility to DESCRIBE the preventive
     second-opinion.  And then send us to "myopiafree" to do our
     own research on the issues.  I WOULD GLADLY PAY HIM FOR HIS
     PROFESSIONAL TIME!!!

Yves> My plan is to wear the ortho-k for about one or two more
     weeks now, then i'll try to skip a day and see if I can keep
     my eyes sharp.

Otis> Excellent idea.  But be prepared for a "slip-back" towards
     20/50.  This will take about three months.  So "steel"
     yourself to that expectation.

Yves> Will keep you posted.

     Ortho-k a try, the feeling of not needing anything during
     the day and just seeing through your eyes is amazing, I
     can't believe how much i have been missing.  The routine is
     simple:  brush your teeth, put ortho-k lenses in, sleep,
     wake up, get lenses out, brush teeth, go...

Yves