What is the Bates Association?

We are an association of qualified vision teachers working and researching in the tradition of and with the methods developed by Dr. W. H. Bates MD. We believe that bringing care and consideration to the experience of seeing has the potential to enhance quality of life.

What is Vision Education?

Seeing is an intricate and sensitive learned process and many things influence its function. Vision Education is an invitation to gently explore the capacities of your own eyesight. It is a process of learning to use the eyes, body and mind in a relaxed and natural way in everyday life. Vision Education is a way of getting the best you can from your eyesight and from yourself.

 

Who is Vision Education for?

Anyone at any age can practice Vision Education. If you experience eyesight challenges or clear sight, Vision Education has something to offer you.

Fan-shaped ginkgo biloba leaves on a branch, glowing golden-yellow in natural light. Gingko is good for eye health.
Close-up of eyebright (Euphrasia), a small wildflower with delicate white and purple petals. This herb is used for eye health.

Why choose Vision Education?

Vision Education is a way of understanding and appreciating our eyesight. It is an approach in which eyesight is seen in the context of the whole person. Learning to see naturally has a profound influence on how we see and how we interact in the world.

 

What is  a Vision Session like?

Each lesson will be different because your lesson will be about you and your eyesight and that is unique. It will also depend on the teaching style of your teacher and on the rapport between you. Lessons are a process of learning together what your eyesight is, its quality, strengths, weaknesses and areas that need support or rest.

There are, however, some standard things that are likely to happen. There will be some vision checks using charts but this is only part of the picture. Your teacher will want to get to know you and find out about how you experience your eyesight. You will also learn some vision education practices and activities that you can do at home.

How do I become a Vision Education teacher?

Our current workshops are here

 

How can I join?

To apply for membership of the Bates Association for Vision Education please send a copy of your professional training certificate with any supporting information (e.g. a project or publication). Please also provide a statement summarising your own personal experience with Bates Method Vision Education and your motivations for teaching. Applications will be considered by the Association committee.

 

I’d like to learn more, what’s the next step?

If you want to deepen your practice individual lessons are the best way to fully experience Vision Education. Working one to one allows a teacher to guide you through your own unique vision learning process. Click on the ‘teachers‘ tab to find a teacher.

Love-in-a-mist flower (Nigella damascena) with soft blue-purple petals surrounded by feathery green foliage. Another plant which is good for eye health