Better Eyesight, October 1921
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF IMPERFECT SIGHT WITHOUT GLASSES
HOW TO OBTAIN MENTAL PICTURES
Look at a letter on the Snellen test card. Remember its blackness. Shift the attention from one part of this spot of black to another. It should appear to move in a direction contrary to the imagined movement. If it does not, try to imagine it stationary. If you succeed in doing this it will blur, or disappear. Having demonstrated that it is impossible to imagine the spot stationary, it may become possible to imagine it moving. Having become able to form a mental picture of a black spot with the eyes closed, try to do the same with the eyes open. Alternate till the mental vision with the eyes closed and open is the same. Having become able to imagine a black spot try, to imagine the letter o in diamond type with the center as white as snow. Do this alternately with eyes closed and open. If you cannot hold the picture of a letter or period commit to memory a number of letters on the test card and recite them to yourself while imagining that the card is moving. If some other color or object is easier to imagine than a black spot it will serve the purpose equally well. A few exceptional people may get better results with the eyes open than when they are closed.
MENTAL PICTURES AN AID TO VISION
By W.H. BATES, M.D.