Research Corner - Q&A Vision Problems by Paul Chek | Date Released : 12 Nov 2007 1 comment Print Close Question: I have a client who has a problem with his vision (predominately his right eye). In 2002, he had LASIK surgery on both eyes, and it seemed to do the trick for three years. He’s dominant in his left eye and seems to still have problems close up. He often has to close his right eye so he can focus with his left, which results in his becoming a bit cross eyed. He’s considering getting LASIK done again on his right eye since his left eye seems to be pretty good. What are some natural approaches to this situation? Also, what is your opinion on the Bates method? Answer: The upper cervical spine, particularly the atlas (C1), is highly integrated with the eyes via the tonic neck reflexes and vestibular reflex pathways. There are several other reflex pathways that indirectly affect upper cervical stability as well. The uterus, when inflamed such as when a woman is premenstrual, often destabilizes the upper cervical spine, and in men, any elevated estrogens can encourage problems with stability there as well. The atlas-axis joint complex is the interface between the body and head. The atlas is the most mobile, least stable and most commonly subluxed vertebra in the human spinal column, and any disruption of atlas position can cause adverse mechanical tension in the central nervous system. Eye problems are VERY common with atlas-axis dysfunction. I'd suggest you get your client to any C.H.E.K Level III or IV near you and have them perform what we call "the totem pole assessment." The totem pole is a symbolic representation of how the body should be assessed based on the neurological hierarchy of our biological systems. If you don't have access to a C.H.E.K II or IV, a good physio, osteopath or chiropractor (particularly a NUCCA Chiropractor) who knows how to carefully assess the upper system could prove very helpful. I use the Rocobado approach, but the approaches developed by Stanley Paris or Philip Greenman can be very helpful too. The Bates method is very effective, yet this should only be used after clearing the cranial nerves and orthopedic relationships, or you may be treating symptoms with exercises that can take a fair bit of a person's day to do. You may want to look for the DVD titled Yoga For The Eyes as well. Back to top About the author: Paul Chek Internationally acclaimed speaker, consultant and Holistic Health Practitioner Paul Chek, draws upon over twenty-eight years of experience in corrective exercise, high performance conditioning and integrative lifestyle management. Author of six books, over 60 DVDs and numerous correspondence courses and seminars, he has also developed four advanced training programs for professional development in the health and fitness industry. Paul is the founder of the C.H.E.K Institute, based in San Diego, CA which specializes in Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology (www.chekinstitute.com). He is also the creator of the P~P~S Success Mastery Program (www.ppssuccess.com). Full Author Details Related content Content from Paul Chek How Young Athletes Learn Brian Grasso | Articles Upper Spine Eval (Atlas Test) Joshua Rubin | Articles Egoscue - Part 2: The Art of Listening by Pete Egoscue | Videos Blurred Vision with Cardio Dr. Rob Orr | Articles Why People Don’t Heal - Part 1 by Paul Chek | Videos The Vitality Index of Holistic Health by Clifford Oliver | Videos Eye Strength for Athletes Nathan Thomas | Articles Eye Art Part 2: Behavioral Optometry in Natural Vision Correction Jeannette Goodman | Articles Eye Art Part 1: The Benefits of Natural Vision Correction Jeannette Goodman | Articles The Healing Power of the Pool Paul Chek | Articles Riding Two Horses at Once Paul Chek | Articles Segmental Stability Paul Chek | Articles Holistic Approach to Injury - Part 3 Paul Chek | Articles Holistic Approach to Injury - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Holistic Approach to Injury - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Heat and Thyroid Issues Paul Chek | Articles Vision Problems Paul Chek | Articles The ABCs of Life Paul Chek | Articles Gastroesophageal Reflux (GSR) Paul Chek | Articles How to Learn Paul Chek | Articles Weight Loss Plateau Paul Chek | Articles Living the Love Principle Paul Chek | Articles How Many Degrees Should the Feet Point Out? Paul Chek | Articles The Inner Unit Paul Chek | Articles The Outer Unit Paul Chek | Articles Post C-Section Training Paul Chek | Articles Epilepsy Medication and Weight Loss Paul Chek | Articles Managing Your Self Paul Chek | Articles Cancer Medication and Weight Gain Paul Chek | Articles Teenager with Dyspraxia Paul Chek | Articles Whey Products - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Whey Products - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Sans Soy! The Truth about Soy and the Human Body Paul Chek | Articles Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Paul Chek | Articles High School Steroid Pressure Paul Chek | Articles Intelligent Stretching Paul Chek | Articles Cardio Training Paul Chek | Articles Increasing Anabolic Response to Training Paul Chek | Articles Mystery Low Back Pain Paul Chek | Articles Identifying Fatigue Paul Chek | Articles Breathing Difficulties Paul Chek | Articles Spina Bifida and Baclofen Paul Chek | Articles Hearing and Balance Impairments Paul Chek | Articles Gas Problems with Food Paul Chek | Articles Food Combining Strategies Paul Chek | Articles Right Side Numbness Paul Chek | Articles Rapid Growth Pains In Teens Paul Chek | Articles Metabolic Typing Confusion Paul Chek | Articles Trainer or Nutritionist – Where’s the Line? Paul Chek | Articles Herniated Discs Paul Chek | Articles Neck Injury Paul Chek | Articles Herniated Discs and Overweight Paul Chek | Articles Abdominal Spasms with Running Paul Chek | Articles How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy!: Chapter 1 Paul Chek | Articles Post Hysterectomy and Exercise Paul Chek | Articles Disc Injury Surgery Alternatives Paul Chek | Articles Should Athletes Train Like Bodybuilders? Paul Chek | Articles Candida Paul Chek | Articles Graves Disease Paul Chek | Articles Menstrual Problems with Weight Loss Paul Chek | Articles Graves Disease Paul Chek | Articles ADD and ADHD - A Modern Epidemic! Paul Chek | Articles You Are What You Eat! Part 3 Paul Chek | Articles You Are What You Eat! Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles You Are What You Eat! Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Upper Crossed Syndrome and Beyond Paul Chek | Articles Four Point TVA Exercise - Wrist Pain Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 6 Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 5 Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 4B Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 4A Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 3 Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Scientific Balance Training - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Success Series - Part 5 Paul Chek | Articles Success Series - Part 4 Paul Chek | Articles Success Series - Part 3 Paul Chek | Articles Success Series - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Success Series - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Abs In or Abs Out? Paul Chek | Articles Shrug Science - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Shrug Science - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Back Strong and Beltless - Part 3 Paul Chek | Articles Back Strong and Beltless - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Back Strong and Beltless - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Pattern Overload - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Pattern Overload - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles What is Functional Exercise? Paul Chek | Articles Strong 'N' Stable Paul Chek | Articles Fear the Squat No More Paul Chek | Articles Conditioning Golfers Paul Chek | Articles Lost in Space - Part 1 Paul Chek | Articles Lost in Space - Part 2 Paul Chek | Articles Athena, Artemis and Aphrodite: The Science and Myths of Training Women Paul Chek | Articles Big Benches - Bad Shoulders Paul Chek | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (1) Fitzgerald, DeAnn | 11 Jun 2014, 02:19 AM We need to consider getting an eye exam with emphasis on-- after the age of 40 presbyopia is beginning--that's where the near vision is not as clear. Secondly, with certain procedures patients are more prone to early cataract formation and dry eye which can contribute to the blurred vision. Lastly, if the eyes are not working well together vision rehab exercises can help facilitate better vision and promote keeping the eyes open--he may be closing off eye because he is seeing double. I would recommend a good eye exam with a functional optometrist. Reply Back to top