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'''Active Focus''' is the principle that vision improves in the long term when eyes are given a small [[blur]] challenge that they successfully resolve. Active focus is a habit, not an exercise routine.


Resolvable blur is the stimulus that decreases the [[axial length]] of the eye, reversing [[myopia]]. Conversely, excessive sharpness is the stimulus that increases the axial length of the eye, leading to myopia. These axial length changes take place slowly, over years. It took years for [[myope]]s to become as nearsighted as they are today, so it takes years to completely reverse it. In order to achieve results, active focus must be a habit, something that myopes are always doing without thinking much about it.
==What is active focus==
'''Active Focus''' is an activity central to the EndMyopia method. This activity uses the eyes to resolve small amounts of [[myopic defocus]]. It is believed that active focus provides the necessary stimulus to reverse the effects of [[myopia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://endmyopia.org/faq-items/what-is-active-focus |title=What is Active Focus |last=Steiner |first=Jake |website=Enndmyopia |access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref>


Active focus is a balancing act. Too much blur, and the eyes will not be able to resolve the blur challenge. When the challenge is unresolved, there is no long-term vision improvement. If the object in focus is too sharp, then [[myopic]] eyes are not getting the necessary stimulus to improve. Wearing a [[full correction]] will result in a [[blur horizon]] of infinity, meaning that the eyes will never get the necessary blur, even if looking as far away as possible. It's best to rarely wear the full prescription, and instead wear [[differential]] and [[normalized]] lenses depending on the situation.
As [[accommodation]] is an automatic activity, active focusing is not straight forward. While it is easy to move the skeletal muscles of your body, it is not possible to control the [[ciliary muscle]]s in the same way. However, by careful manipulation of the [[blur horizon]], it is possible to encourage the eyes to push slightly harder to achieve focus. It is important to introduce appropriate amounts of [[blur]] challenge, so that it is not too great for the eyes to resolve, yet not so little that it is not noticeable.


Practitioners of active focus may experience fast progress at first, and then slow progress. Eye care professionals may over-prescribe the corrective power of lenses, so dropping the over-prescribed diopters may feel like instant "progress". Pseudomyopia can be treated quickly, so it may be another source of fast initial progress. Beyond over-prescription and pseudomyopia, the speed of the journey to 20/20 is estimated by Jake Steiner to be roughly 0.25 diopters every 3 months.
The use of [[normalized]] and [[differential]] glasses as opposed to full correction glasses provides convenient access to a blur horizon. It is recommended to do 3 hours of active focus throughout the day for maximum benefit. Therefore, it is important to incorporate active focusing to your daily routines so that it becomes habitual.


==Just how ''active'' is active focus?==
Taking frequent breaks from near visual work to do active focus is critical in preventing ciliary spasm and the worsening of myopia. With consistent practice of active focus, it is estimated that myopia will reverse at a rate of 0.25 diopters every 3 months.
With active focus, the myopia sufferer must ''actively'' adjust '''the distance to objects''' and '''what glasses they are wearing''', to habitually create the optimal challenge. It's really that simple! The eyes take care of the rest. Focus is an ''automatic'' process that the eyes and the visual cortex do on their own.
 
== What  is active focus? ==
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==What am I doing wrong?==
==How to find active focus?==
'''My vision doesn't clear up when I look at blurry objects!'''
To active focus, first set up the necessary conditions to maximize success. These conditions are:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://endmyopia.org/how-to-finding-active-focus |title=How to: Finding Active Focus |last=Steiner |first=Jake |website=Endmyopia |access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref>
# Suitable subject that is a symbol or text high in contrast. Examples include license plates, house numbers and signboards in the distance or 12 pt text printed or displayed on a high resolution screen.
# Use differential or normalized glasses to ensure the subject is in the blur horizon.
# Optimize the amount of blur challenge, move forward to reduce the blur challenge and move backwards to increase the blur challenge.
# Be in a comfortable position and stay relaxed, do not stress, do not fuss or be frustrated. It is not necessary to do a lot in the same time.
Once these conditions are met, look at the subject and visualize it being clear, then blink. Pay attention if the subject becomes sharp momentarily. If the subject becomes sharp, you have found active focus. Practice often.


The blur challenge is too strong. Look at objects that are closer to you, or wear stronger eyeglasses. The blur challenge should be easy to overcome. You will know that your eyes have overcome the blur challenge when an object that at first appears blurry becomes sharp.
On average, it takes about 1 month of persistent trying to find active focus for the first time. Small amount of blur becomes sharp for a short while, ranging from half a second to a few seconds. Initial experiences of successful active focus can include tearing, soreness and stinging sensations. This is believed to be related to the release of [[ciliary spasm]]. These experiences only last momentarily and do not cause any harm. With practice, active focus will becomes second nature and feel natural.


'''The thing I'm looking at clears up instantly. This is great!'''
==Common challenges==


While it's great that you are seeing that object clearly, the blur challenge is too weak. Look at objects that are farther away, or wear weaker eyeglasses.
'''My vision doesn't clear up when I look at blurry objects!'''


'''My vision is only clear after I blink!'''
The blur challenge is too strong. Move closer to the subject.


Extra forced blinking is not part of active focus. If you find that blinking helps, you may have [[dry eye syndrome]]. Blinking is depositing a fresh tear film on the surface of the eye, creating a perfectly smooth, polished surface that improves vision. You should take steps to resolve your dry eye syndrome, so that your dry eyes do not continue to cause problems when practicing active focus.
'''The subject clears up and stays clear. This is great!'''


'''My vision is only clear in sunlight!'''
While it's great that you are clearing blur, consider attempting a greater blur challenge by moving further away from the subject or choose a further subject.


Sunlight causes your pupils to constrict, creating a [[pinhole effect]] that temporarily improves vision. There is nothing bad about the sunlight-induced pinhole effect, and being in the sunlight is encouraged. In order to practice active focus indoors, wear a slightly stronger prescription.
'''My vision is only clear if I keep blinking!'''


'''I'm not improving!'''
Continuous blinking is not active focus. If you find that blinking helps, you may have [[dry eye syndrome|dry eyes]]. Blinking creates tear film on the surface of the eye, increasing the power of the cornea. It is recommended to resolve your dry eyes as it can interfere with active focus.


This is a slow process. Keep at it! Make certain that you are getting the necessary blur challenge as often as possible.
'''My vision is not improving!'''
 
It took many years for you to develop myopia, it will take your eyes some time to reverse the process. Active focus often, avoid bad eye habits and have some patience.


==Articles from the blog==
[https://endmyopia.org/faq-items/what-is-active-focus/ What is Active Focus?]
==Community written articles on how to find Active Focus==
==Community written articles on how to find Active Focus==
{{List:A Million Ways To Find Active Focus}}
{{List:A Million Ways To Find Active Focus}}
==References==
==References==

Revision as of 09:37, 11 June 2020

What is active focus

Active Focus is an activity central to the EndMyopia method. This activity uses the eyes to resolve small amounts of myopic defocus. It is believed that active focus provides the necessary stimulus to reverse the effects of myopia.[1]

As accommodation is an automatic activity, active focusing is not straight forward. While it is easy to move the skeletal muscles of your body, it is not possible to control the ciliary muscles in the same way. However, by careful manipulation of the blur horizon, it is possible to encourage the eyes to push slightly harder to achieve focus. It is important to introduce appropriate amounts of blur challenge, so that it is not too great for the eyes to resolve, yet not so little that it is not noticeable.

The use of normalized and differential glasses as opposed to full correction glasses provides convenient access to a blur horizon. It is recommended to do 3 hours of active focus throughout the day for maximum benefit. Therefore, it is important to incorporate active focusing to your daily routines so that it becomes habitual.

Taking frequent breaks from near visual work to do active focus is critical in preventing ciliary spasm and the worsening of myopia. With consistent practice of active focus, it is estimated that myopia will reverse at a rate of 0.25 diopters every 3 months.

How to find active focus?

To active focus, first set up the necessary conditions to maximize success. These conditions are:[2]

  1. Suitable subject that is a symbol or text high in contrast. Examples include license plates, house numbers and signboards in the distance or 12 pt text printed or displayed on a high resolution screen.
  2. Use differential or normalized glasses to ensure the subject is in the blur horizon.
  3. Optimize the amount of blur challenge, move forward to reduce the blur challenge and move backwards to increase the blur challenge.
  4. Be in a comfortable position and stay relaxed, do not stress, do not fuss or be frustrated. It is not necessary to do a lot in the same time.

Once these conditions are met, look at the subject and visualize it being clear, then blink. Pay attention if the subject becomes sharp momentarily. If the subject becomes sharp, you have found active focus. Practice often.

On average, it takes about 1 month of persistent trying to find active focus for the first time. Small amount of blur becomes sharp for a short while, ranging from half a second to a few seconds. Initial experiences of successful active focus can include tearing, soreness and stinging sensations. This is believed to be related to the release of ciliary spasm. These experiences only last momentarily and do not cause any harm. With practice, active focus will becomes second nature and feel natural.

Common challenges

My vision doesn't clear up when I look at blurry objects!

The blur challenge is too strong. Move closer to the subject.

The subject clears up and stays clear. This is great!

While it's great that you are clearing blur, consider attempting a greater blur challenge by moving further away from the subject or choose a further subject.

My vision is only clear if I keep blinking!

Continuous blinking is not active focus. If you find that blinking helps, you may have dry eyes. Blinking creates tear film on the surface of the eye, increasing the power of the cornea. It is recommended to resolve your dry eyes as it can interfere with active focus.

My vision is not improving!

It took many years for you to develop myopia, it will take your eyes some time to reverse the process. Active focus often, avoid bad eye habits and have some patience.

Community written articles on how to find Active Focus

A little bit of everything
Beyond the Blur Horizon
Mindful viewing
Paint the blurry letters with your eyes
Putting yourself to sleep by not trying to find rare loot

References

  1. ↑ Steiner, Jake. "What is Active Focus". Enndmyopia. Retrieved 11 June 2020.Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
  2. ↑ Steiner, Jake. "How to: Finding Active Focus". Endmyopia. Retrieved 11 June 2020.Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
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