See Clearly Method - Any good?

[mountain_man]

My 15 year-old son (who learned to drive a shift on my JD790 pullin' a manure spreader - gotta keep this tractor related) wants very much to apply to the Air Force Academy in a couple of years. Unfortunately he's nearsighted (like his old man) and although the Air Force allows some waivers for eyesight, he'll have a better chance if is eyesight was better. Any kind of eye surgery (PRK, Lasik) is not allowed for admission.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any experiences with the "See Clearly Method" of improving vision? I understand it involves eye exercises, but don't know much more. Thanks.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I can clearly see thats Dan Haggerty aka grizzly adams /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RanchMan]

http://www.allaboutvision.com/buysmart/see_clearly.htm

 

[mountain_man]

RanchMan – Thanks mucho for the link. It’s kinda what I suspected – little verifiable proof that it really works. However with a 30-day money-back guarantee, we might just give it a try anyway.

DocKnotInn – Glad you can clearly see Grizzly Adams. Actually I've used a few different famous “mountain men” since joining TBN. Guess it’s time for a new one…

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez -- Toute la nuit désirent ardemment

 

[BB_TX]

I suspect you already know, but just in case. Unless things have changed, generally speaking you can't simply apply to the Air Force Academy. There are some exceptions, but generally you need to be nominated by your congressman. Each congressman is allowed a limited number of nominations to each academy each year. These nominations are based on academics and other considerations.
Wanting to be a pilot, my son went thru the process something over 10 years ago. Our congressman did not have any openings to the Air Force Academy, but did have one to the Naval Academy. He received the nomination, passed all academic and fitness requirements, but unfortunately was turned down on vision. Although his vision is better than 20-15 (he can see a freckle on a gnat's butt), he is very slightly color blind. A no-no for the Navy, but could have passed the AF.

 

[mountain_man]

Bill - Thanks very much for the good advice/experience. Yes, we've been at this for a couple of years already, good grades (currently working on ACT & SAT prep courses), working on his leadership skills, as well as political contacts for the nomination. His color vision is fine (just a sidenote - I'm got faulty color vision but found out the defective gene come from the mother's side - glad I married well...), he's just nearsighted but correctable to 20/20. Anyway he's working towards his glider license which may help somewhat.

 

[popabear]

I would check with the Air Force again some of the corrective procdures have been approved, not sure if it applies to pilots. You do need congressional help. My son also wanted to fly but is color blind, that grounded him. He is in now but doing ground support. From an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant

 

[mountain_man]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, ANY kind of eye surgery invalidates pilot consideration for the academy, however, it is acceptable for other AF careers. We'll likely give the See Clearly Method a try after the holidays, but will keep the 30-day money back guarantee in mind.

 

[Hakim]

Almost all of the natural systems to "correct" eyesight are based upon the original work of Dr. William Bates, an MD educated at Cornell. He died some decades ago, but his methods are still the most widely used today.

His book is available for $3.50 used on Amazon. Dr. Bates's revolutionary method has helped hundreds of thousands of people to triumph over normal defects of vision without the aid of eyeglasses. This series of exercises is designed to eliminate the tension caused by poor visual habits that are the major cause of poor eyesight.

Bates Method Book on Amazon

That book, and these links, will give you a good idea if this method might work for your son... before spending $350 or more on the "system" you have looked into.

Bates in a Nutshell

Also there is a "Bates Organization" on the web, devoted to implementation and teaching of the Bates method.
Bates Org

 

[BB_TX]

Not to damper your's or your son's enthusiam, but I would suggest that he have an alternative plan in the back of his mind in case it doesn't work out. My son (and we) was convinced he would get in. He had the nomination, he passed his physicals, he passed the fitness requirements, he passed his dental exam. All this over several months. The last thing they did was do a vision check. None of us had any idea he had a color deficiency.
He had several other areas he was interested in, but had not seriously considered which way to go. Big decision to be made at 18. He enrolled in college in an aerospace program before realizing the aerospace industry was sinking with no sign of recovery in the near future. He change to electrical engineering (following in his old man's footprints) but soon realized that was not what he wanted. Finally got a degree in criminal justice /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif with the ambition of working his way into the FBI. But thru personal experience and that of a friend in the Dallas police dept, he quickly became disallusioned with the hiring and promotion policies (read equal opportunity). Eventually went to work for a computer company, got his masters in computer science, got a good job with Raytheon making more than I could have ever imagined at that age, married, 2 kids, living in his home town, and couldn't be happier. No telling where he would be if he had made the academy. I firmly believe things happen for a reason. Sometimes we just have to let them play out.
Sorry for the long post. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif