Myopia, or nearsightedness, has seen a significant rise globally. In 2000, approximately 1.6 billion people were affected, expected to increase to nearly 5 billion by 2050. Developed countries in East and Southeast Asia have particularly high rates, ranging from 80-90% in young adults.
Factors associated with myopia include near work, education, age, economic status, and height. While some believe myopia is hereditary, its prevalence in pre-industrialized cultures suggests environmental and social factors play a role. The rapid increase in myopia cases can be traced back to imbalances in modern society, affecting physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.
Although optics or surgery can correct most myopia cases, normal and high myopia remain unsolved medical issues. In her book ‘Habits for Better Vision’ Aileen Yi Fan explores the problem of nearsightedness and the ways to combat this problem.
Author’s background

Aileen Yi Fan is a dedicated lifelong learner and agent of change. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration, she embodies the spirit of constant growth.

As the founder of a boutique marketing and PR agency that caters to small businesses, she embraces the philosophy of ‘invest-learn-teach.’ This book exemplifies her commitment to sharing knowledge and experiences, as she firmly believes in teaching what she herself needs to learn the most.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Aileen finds inspiration in her two beautiful children, Ian and Amy. They motivate her to continually strive for self-improvement in all aspects of life – physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. With their influence driving her, she endeavours to make progress each day, enriching her life and the lives of those around her.
What is the book about?

‘Habits for Better Vision: 20 Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Your Eyesight Naturally’ explains what is myopia, the dangers and the causes behind it. Aileen Yi Fan provides detailed information on the core habits to optimise your eyesight. She presents 20 powerful habits that you can incorporate into your daily life to achieve a better vision. You don’t have to implement all 20 at once; start with one and witness the results before moving on to the next. Alternatively, Aileen guides you on how to combine these habits through habit stacking for even greater benefits.
Key takeaways from ‘Habits for Better Vision’

1Myopia has become an epidemic in many parts of the world
The shift in lifestyle has led to a widespread myopia epidemic across the globe. In the United States, 41.6% of people are nearsighted, with young Americans experiencing rates as high as 60%. The prevalence is even more alarming in developed East and Southeast Asian countries, where 80 to 90% of children with 12 years of schooling are affected.
Projections indicate that nearly 50% of the world’s population may be myopic by 2050. Studies attribute the rising myopia rates primarily to lifestyle factors, especially increased time spent on near-work activities like electronic device usage. Digital education systems in schools have further contributed to the rise in myopia cases among children.
2Nourish your eyes with good nutrition
The key to maintaining healthy eyes and body is a whole food diet, rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Avoid processed foods with refined carbohydrates and sugars that can cause chronic inflammation. Opt for nutrient-rich fats like those found in avocados and omega-3-rich fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, which are full of vitamins and minerals beneficial for eye health. Consider supplementing with vitamins and minerals, depending on your overall dietary pattern. Prioritise real, living foods over processed options for better health and vision.
3Get enough sleep for healthy eyes
Sleep influences vision, with studies linking sleep duration to myopia. More sleep appears to reduce myopia’s severity. High myopic children tend to be late and short-sleepers, raising concerns about their overall health and development. Technology can disrupt sleep quality, especially when using electronic devices before bedtime. Blue light emitted by screens negatively affects the sleep-wake cycle and reduces melatonin production. Electromagnetic fields from mobile phones may also impact brain activity during sleep.
To prioritise sleep, stick to a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for eight to ten hours for children and teenagers. Create a sleep-conducive environment by keeping the room cool, quiet, and dark. Limit the use of electronic devices before bedtime and avoid having them in the bedroom.
4Mind your posture for better eyesight
Your posture and eyesight are interconnected. The eyes are part of the central nervous system, linked directly to the brain. Maintaining good posture allows smooth communication between the eyes, brain, and spine. On the other hand, poor posture can impact the connection quality between the spinal cord and the brain, affecting eyesight.
Studies show that certain postures may lead to myopia progression. Reading while slouched or with eyes turned downward could be connected to greater myopic progression in children. Good posture offers additional benefits such as increased lung capacity, improved circulation, and enhanced confidence. High-power poses have been shown to increase feelings of confidence and reduce stress hormones. To improve your posture, use a mirror and practice awareness.
5Practice 20-20-20 rule
Research shows that prolonged screen time leads to various issues, like headaches and dry or irritated eyes. The 20-20-20 rule, coined by Dr. Jeffery Anshel, offers a simple solution to alleviate these symptoms. For every 20 minutes of near work (screen time, reading, writing), take a 20-second break and focus on something 20 feet or more away. This helps relax the eye muscles and prevent discomfort. By periodically looking into the distance, blinking, and taking deep breaths, eye strain can be reduced.
People with perfect vision shift their focus frequently, keeping their brains engaged. Following the 20-20-20 rule not only benefits eye health but also stimulates the brain.
6Engage in eye exercises for better vision
Consistent exercise, even just fifteen minutes a day, offers significant health benefits. It improves circulation, oxygen supply, and overall well-being, including for the brain and eyes. When the body is healthy, the eyes benefit as well. In addition to general exercise, eye exercises specifically target myopia prevention and reversal.
7Reduce your reliance on prescription lenses
Eyeglasses are commonly used to correct myopia, but it’s advisable to limit their usage to two to three hours a day, preferably for distance vision only. Children wearing glasses for close-up work may develop lens-induced myopia. Under-corrected prescriptions can also be requested, allowing for 20/40 visual acuity and room for natural vision improvement.
Contact lenses offer advantages, especially for active children in sports, but they also come with drawbacks such as discomfort, infections, and corneal ulcers. To minimize risks, reduce the time you wear contact lenses and avoid using them near work. Always prioritise the health of your cornea and eyes by providing breaks from contact lenses.
8Manage your stress for clear sight
Studies have shown that stress can have detrimental effects on the body and weaken the immune system, leading to various health problems. When it comes to eye health, stress can exacerbate issues like myopia development and refractive errors.
By adopting healthy stress management techniques, we can improve our overall well-being, including our eye health. One useful practice is the use of third-person self-talk. Research has shown that using our own names instead of the pronoun ‘I’ during introspection and self-talk can help regulate emotions and reduce stress. Creating a psychological distance between ourselves and our experiences can lessen the impact of stressful situations on our emotional state.
9Embrace the outdoors for better eye health
Researchers have proposed that spending more time in natural light boosts dopamine release in the retina, which in turn helps reduce eye growth, a key factor in myopia development. This hypothesis has been further supported by laboratory studies on experimental myopic animals.
Furthermore, studies have highlighted that intense education and limited outdoor activities are major contributing factors to the myopia epidemic. By encouraging children to play outside, we not only combat myopia but also address other critical health concerns like childhood obesity, juvenile diabetes, and depression.
Table of contents

- Introduction
- What is myopia?
- PART I: BELIEF
- Habit #1: Change Your Beliefs
- Habit #2: Take Caution of Quick Fixes
- PART II: BODY
- Habit #3: Examine Your Lifestyle
- Habit #4: Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet
- Habit #5: Get Enough Sleep
- Habit #6: Mind Your Posture
- Habit #7: Practice 20-20-20
- Habit #8: Do Your Eye Exercises
- Habit #9: Limit Your Use of Prescription Lenses
- PART III: MIND
- Habit #10: Reduce Your Stress Level
- Habit #11: Manage Your Emotions
- Habit #12: Relax Your Mind and Muscles Deeply
- PART IV: ENVIRONMENT
- Habit #13: Go Outdoors and Play
- Habit #14: Control Indoor Lighting
- Habit #15: Remove the Night-light
- Habit #16: Hang a Snellen Chart
- PART V: HABITS
- Habit #17: Make Vision Health Habitual
- Habit #18: SAVERS Morning Routine
- Habit #19: PEACE Daily Routine
- Habit #20: DREAM Evening Routine
- Afterword
- Bibliography
- Acknowledgements
- About Aileen Yi Fan
Overall rating & strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths
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Backed up by scientific research, the author’s own investigations, and years of practical experience.
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Offers very helpful and simple tools to heal vision naturally.
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Great writing style, which is pleasurable to read.
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The introduction is packed with background information that is worth reading.
Weaknesses
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Contains repetitive pieces: some information is often carried over to the next chapter or the one after that.
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Not all the tips are applicable to everyone, mostly for people with myopia.
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The book doesn’t contain any groundbreaking information.
Best quotes from ‘Habits for Better Vision’

“Our eyes are not broken, and our genes are not problematic. We have the power to form new habits to improve our eyesight, starting right now and right away. We are so much more powerful to heal ourselves than we believe we are.”
“We cannot change our eyesight until we change something we do daily. Success is a long series of habits – small wins and tiny breakthroughs in each micro-moment.”
“I also encourage you to become an emotional archaeologist – to excavate buried feelings, partially forgotten hurts and unresolved issues that you did not want to look at. Only then can you shine your inner light upon them and set them free.”
Final takeaway

In ‘Habits for Better Vision,’ Aileen Yi Fan addresses the growing global issue of myopia (nearsightedness). Contrary to the prevailing belief that prescription lenses are the only solution, Aileen offers a groundbreaking approach to achieving optimal eyesight without relying solely on corrective aids. With a wealth of knowledge and research, Aileen presents 20 essential habits that can be incorporated into daily life to improve vision naturally.
Aimed at those seeking to enhance their eyesight and reduce reliance on prescription lenses or contacts, this insightful book offers a holistic and proactive approach to better vision.
Where to buy
You can buy ‘Habits for Better Vision: 20 Scientifically Proven Ways to Improve Your Eyesight Naturally’ on Amazon at the best price. It’s available in Kindle and paperback formats.