Bates method / eyesight improvement

[Belteshazzar]

Except that this will have been something that many people could feasibly have done on their own had they known about it in time. Regarding risks, it would be easy enough to warn people not to look directly at the sun, regardless of what they might read in some of the older literature. The other commonly cited risk is that a more serious eye condition could go undetected or untreated due to faith in natural methods. However, that is moot if you come for an eye exam and nothing out of the ordinary is found. Like I said, I don't seriously expect this to happen, but I think it should be standard for eye doctors to inform people who are just beginning to "need glasses" about this option, with the caveat that there is no guarantee that it will work, and let them do their own research and make their own decision.

[Arouet]

From wik:

Despite continued anecdotal reports of successful results, including well-publicized support by Aldous Huxley,[2] Bates' techniques have not been shown objectively to improve eyesight,[3] and his main physiological proposition – that the eyeball changes shape to maintain focus – has consistently been contradicted by observation.[4] In 1952, optometry professor Elwin Marg wrote of Bates, “Most of his claims and almost all of his theories have been considered false by practically all visual scientists.”[5] Marg concluded that the Bates method owed its popularity largely to "flashes of clear vision" experienced by many who followed it.[2] Such occurrences have since been determined to most likely be a contact lens-like effect of moisture on the eye.[6]

Critics of the Bates method not only deny its efficacy, but go on to cite potential negative consequences for those who attempt to follow it, namely that they might overexpose their eyes to sunlight, put themselves and others at risk by not wearing their corrective lenses while driving, or neglect conventional eye care, possibly allowing serious conditions to develop.[5][7]

if the above is true, and accurately encompasses the consensus of the medical community on this treatment, why would doctors recommend it?

Have there been any properly controlled studies that have shown it works? No. Is anything stopping someone from doing such a study now? No. Until that study is done and replicated successfully, as well as being deemed safe, it would be incredibly irresponsible for practitioners to tell their patients about this. Not sure what else to say about this. The science doesn't seem to back up this method.