10. Week 3: Fusion Lesson

 

Tasks and Goals learn and use fusion get use to working with the fusion chart train to focus at different distances while letting the converging skills fuse the image train to focus clearly by shifting the eyes keep the extraocular muscles flexible and relax while seeing train to strengthen each eye’s focusing ability, and both eyes focusing together

 

Understanding Fusion

Our world is three dimensional. In order to experience the 3D in our mind, we need two eyes. Our mind use the slightly different image from each eye to create the depth in the image. For example, if you close one eye and try to touch an object with your finger, you cannot tell how close your finger is to the object until you touch it. Without the other eye, we cannot judge distance correctly. Having two eyes also complicate seeing because the mind must learn to coordinate and point both eyes (converge) perfectly onto an object we want to see. If your control is a little off, you will see a blurry or distorted image.

When you wear glasses for a long time, your eyes do not converge on an object perfectly, and you will see doubles without your glasses on. In order to fix that, we need to train the eyes to converge better. We use a method call fusion to train the eyes.

When we look at an object, there is a distance between us and the object. Both of our eyes must focus on the object at the correct distance in order for us to see one image. For example, look at the following image.

Now, put your index finger half way between you and the image. If you look at the tip of the finger, you see two images in the background. If you look at the image, you see two fingers in the foreground. Our eyes must be able to look at the image at the right distance in order to see one image. Otherwise we see doubles or a distorted image. It takes practice to get the eyes to point perfectly at the object we are looking at.

In order to train the eyes to converge better and faster, we are going to use a fusion chart to practice converging. Before looking at the chart, lets run through an example. Look at the following image.

Put your index finger half way between you and the image just as before. If you look at your finger tip, you will see three or four dots in the background. If you are unable to see three dots, you can move the finger closer or farther until you can see the three dots in the background. Once you can see three dots, you want to hold the middle dot while you take away your finger. You have successfully learn fusion once you are able to hold the three dots in your vision.

Now you can practice fusion using the following fusion chart. The fusion chart has dots at difference width. The farther apart the dots are placed, the more you have to cross your eyes to fuse the two dots. You want to easily and smoothly fuse between the various dot widths. There are also rows of words with different size fonts. As you practice to hold the center dot, you need to look at the different word sizes. The smaller the letter, the harder it is to read, and the more you have to learn to relax the eye muscles (while fusing) to see the words clearly.

Skills to Practice:
• Holding the center dot
• Holding the center dot as you move the chart (up, down, left, right, closer, farther, and around)
• Fuse dots at different widths. (move from one set of dots to another set)
• While fusing, read the words in different rows in the chart.
• While fusing, if the words are too small to read, try to relax the eyes to let the words sharpen. As the image sharpens, notice how the eyes feel and what you did to relax your eyes.

Fusion Lesson

In this lesson, we add the converging skill to the previous lessons to improve the eyes’ ability to focus. Fusion will teach your eyes the skill to adjust and coordinate to point at the image correctly. As your eyes master the skill, they will be able to merge the double images and distortions to form one sharp image at different distances.

Points to Note:
• You should not wear your glasses when doing the exercise
• You should practice the exercise in bright sunlight

Instructions
Step 1. Sit comfortably by the window or outside in the shade, take slow deep breaths using your diaphragm. Keep your head still during the exercise.

Step 2. Start converging using the fusion chart. Do this five minutes or longer.

Step 3. Looking at the farthest object in the horizon (cloud, house, tree, grass, etc.) and focusing on a few points (pick points formed from a corner or an edge) in the object one at a time. Then, look at a closer object and focus on a few points in that object. Work your way back to objects close to you. You may look at five or more objects on the way back. Once you reach an object in front of you, converge using the fusion chart for five seconds before working your way out to farther objects. Continue to work your way out and back for the duration of this step. Work your eyes quickly but give it enough time to spot and focus on a point before moving on to the next point. Try to look at different objects in all areas within your visual field.

Do this:
• Left eye only – two minutes or longer (skip fusion chart since you need both eyes to fuse)
• Right eye only – two minutes or longer (skip fusion chart since you need both eyes to fuse)
• Both eyes – ten minutes or longer

Step 4. Allow the sunlight to shine on your face and onto the eyes as you look from point to point. Keep your focus on a cloud or on a tree, but allow the sunlight to caress the eyes. Do this for three minutes or longer. Do not look directly at the sun.

Step 5. To finish the exercise, rub your palms together until they are hot. Place your palms over your closed eyes without putting pressure on the eyes. Feel the soothing warmth and relaxation of the darkness as you take deep breathes. Do this for one to five minutes.