Better Vision/Restoration of blindness

The eye, the cervical spine, and spinal manipulative therapy: a review of the literature. Terrett, A.G and Gorman, R. Frank. Chiropractic Technique Vol. 7, No. 2, May 1995.
From the abstract: Practitioners of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) note that after SMT, patient occasionally state that their vision has improved. Visual improvement is mentioned by patients more commonly than the appearance of reports in the literature would suggest. Various ocular effects of SMT have appeared in the literature. These have included changes in visual acuity, oculomator function, intraocular pressure, and pupillary size. This paper reviews the literature regarding connections between the eye, the cervical spine, and SMT with a view to future research in this area. Various theories that have been proposed are briefly discussed.

Gorman, an ophthalmologist and Terrett a chiropractor have collaborated to produce an excellent article on the subject of vision and chiropractic (or, as they insist on calling it, SMT). They have searched the literature and found 12 journal articles from 1964 to 1992 describing the experiences of 187 patients with visual changes after cervical spinal care. They have rated these articles and discuss them and discuss a dozen dramatic case histories from the literature. Conditions included in this study are blurred, decreased vision, contraction of visual fields, sports before yes, oculomotor (eye muscle) dysfunctions (diplopia, nystagmus, visual fatigue etc.), pupillary changes, ptosis, eye pains, dry eye, tearing eye, distention of eye and others. Interestingly, Gorman believes that chiropractic adjustments rejuvenate the brain and that the improvements in the vision and eye conditions are merely a side effect of overall improved brain function.

The Prospective Treatment of Visual Perception Deficit By Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation: A Report on Two Juvenile Patients. Stephens D., Gorman RF., Chiropractic Journal of Australia. 1996; 26:82-86.
One 14-year old girl and one 8-year old girl suffered from tunnel vision (constricted visual fields). After seven visits (one a week) the 14 year old's visual acuity went from 20/50 in both eyes to 20/25 in both eyes. The 8-year old was 20/25 in both eyes before care and 20/25 right eye, 20/30 left eye after care.

Does "normal" vision improve with spinal manipulation? Stephens, D. and Gorman M. JMPT 1996; 19:415-8.
From the abstract: A 22 year old man suffered from a painful neck. His vision was in the normal range, as measured by computerized static perimetry. His visual fields were tested before and after a normal office spinal manipulation. After this procedure there was a measurable rise in the visual sensitivity of both eyes.

Monocular scotoma and spinal manipulation: the step phenomenon. R. Frank Gorman, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1996; 19:344-9.
From the abstract: Objective: To discuss a case history wherein microvascular spasm of the optic nerve was treated by spinal manipulation.
Clinical Features: A 62-year old man who developed a scotoma in the vision of the right eye during chiropractic treatment.
Intervention and Outcome: Spinal manipulation treatment was continued with total resolution of the scotoma. The rate of recovery of the scotoma was mapped using computerized static perimetry. These measurements showed that significant recovery occurred each spinal manipulation treatment, producing a stepped graph.
From the conclusion: This case history suggests that spinal manipulation can affect the blood supply of localized areas of brain tissue. More important is the converse implication, that microvascular abnormality of the brain is caused by spinal derangement.

The treatment of visual perception defect by spinal manipulation. A prospective study of twelve consecutive patients. 24th Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists 1992 Nov 1-6.

Ocular dysfunction associated with whiplash injury. Brown S, Aust. J Physiother 1995; 41:55-56
Abstract: Ocular and visual signs and symptoms have been reported to have been associated with whiplash, but there was no scientific study which had investigated these anecdotal reports. This study investigated several aspects of the ocular function of whiplash subjects, non-specific injured neck injury subjects and a control group. Results indicated that visual accommodation (focusing), visual convergence and aspects of pupil function were significantly affected in the whiplash subjects only.

Study on cervical visual distubance and its manipulative treatment. Zhang C, Wang Y, Lu W, et al. J Trad Chinese Medicine, 1984 4:205-210.
"Determination of blood flow by x-ray in 18 of our cases shows that blood flow of the cerebral hemispheres greatly improves after manipulative treatment. The same is true in similar animals tests."

Study on cervical visual disturbance and its manipulative treatment. Zhang C, Wang Y, Lu W, et a. J Trad Chinese Medicine, 1984; 4:205-210.
Report on 114 cases of patients with cervical spondylosis who had associated visual disorders. Visual improvements was noted following "manipulative treatment" in 83% of these cases. Furthermore, of the 54 cases of blind eyes regaining vision were included in the report.

The treatment of presumptive optic nerve ischemia by spinal manipulation. Gorman RF. JMPT 1995 18 (3):172.
A case report where a 62-year old male with a 1 week history of monocular visual defect experienced dramatic visual improvement after a week of "spinal manipulation." "Spinal manipulation can affect the function of the optic nerve in some patients presumably by increasing vascular perfusion."

Changjiang I, Yiei W, Wenquin L. Et al Study of Cervical Visual Disturbance and its manipulative treatment. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1984 4:205. This is a report on 114 cases of cervical spondylosis with visual disorders. Improvement in vision was found after "manipulative treatment" in 83% of cases. 54 were followed for up to six months and all had a stable therapeutic affect. Blind eyes regaining sight are among some of the benefits discovered.

The common cold, pattern sensitivity and contrast sensitivity. Smith AP, et al. Psychological Medicine, 1992; 22:487-494.
This evidence indicates a possible link between vertebral subluxation complex, susceptibility to the common cold and vision sensitivity.

Monocular visual loss closed head trauma: immediate resolution associated with spinal manipulation. R. Frank Gorman. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Vol. 18, No.3, June 1995.
The author, a medical doctor has been investigating spinal care and it's relationship to vision, mental health, emotional wellness and overall health. This article discusses the case history of a 9-year old child complaining of headaches and "red eyes". The author practices manipulation under anesthesia. After two manipulations "For a year after the spinal treatment, the patient had a much better demeanor and was generally free of troublesome headaches and ocular symptoms. Hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of this condition (visual problems and recovery after manipulation) is discussed.

Neuro-ophthalmological findings in closed head injuries. J Clinic Neuroopathalmol 1991; 11:272-7.
Among it's findings is the fascination revelation regarding vision and trauma: "Visual loss after closed head trauma has been reported to occur in 35% of such injuries."

"A Dangerous Twist" (a video recording) "60 minutes" TCN Channel 9, 1986.
An Australian TV show discussing the effects of spinal manipulation of vision.

Visual recover following chiropractic intervention. Gilman G, Bergstrand J. Journal of Behavioral Optometry 1990; 1:73-74.
An 75-year old man experienced a blow to the head resulting from a fall. He felt headaches and dizziness but the next morning woke up completely blind…Three months later the patient was referred to a chiropractor who found C1-C2 subluxation. It was hypothesized that this subluxation could explain the blindness, if it caused sufficient irritation to the superior cervical ganglion which gives rise to the postganglionic sympathetic innervation to the blood vessels of the optic nerve, including the retina itself. The cervical adjustment would relieve irritation to the ganglion and restore normal circulation to the optic nerve. After 11 chiropractic adjustments over a 3 month period the patient's vision returned.

Chiropractic adjustments and esophoria: a retrospective study and theoretical discussion. Schutte B, Teese H, Jamison J: J Aust Chiro Assoc. Dec 1989 19(4):126.
A retrospective review of 12 children with esophoria (deviation of a visual axis towards that of concluding that such patients may respond to cervical spine adjustments.

Early pathogenesis following vertebral strain. Burns L. JAOA, Oct. 1946 P.103.
Spinal strains are produced in experimental animals. Histologic changes occur in the spinal tissues, heart, kidneys, stomach and the eye.

A pilot study of applied kinesiology in helping children with learning disabilities. Mathews MO, Thomas E, British Osteopathic Journal Vol. X11 1993, Ferreri Ca (1986)
"Most children showed significant gains in visual perceptual organization. Some made significant gains in other important skills such as short-term auditory memory. Significant improvements were observed both at home and at school with regard to motivation, attitude and performance." Reports from treatment included: "Dyslexia teacher says he no longer needs help." "No more thumb sucking." "Asthma much better on the whole."

An observer's view of the treatment of visual perception by spinal manipulation . A survey of 16 patients. Gorman RF. Sydney, Australia, 1991 (published privately).
Four ophthalmologists examined 12 patients before and after spinal manipulation. In all cases the vision improved (either the visual field and /or visual acuity). Non-visual difficulties also improved: "spine hump straightening our, arm movement improved," "feels more positive and a lot happier. Does not wake up in the morning tired. More outgoing and talkative."

The side-effects of the chiropractic adjustment. Arno Burnier, D. C. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 4 May 1995.
This is a case history of J.C. male, 1 year old taken from the records of Dr. Arno Burnier of Yardley, PA. 81. South Main Street Yardley, PA 19067, 215-4936589. Nearly all D.C.s have miracle cases, but Dr. Burnier has written his up. This is again an appeal for all D.C.s to write up their interesting cases.
S.S. Female age 17.
Physical problem: Headaches, acne and "coca cola" eye glasses for near-sightedness.
Chiropractic results: Within three months of care was symptom free and no longer needed glasses. Resulting remained consistent for two years (lost tough after moving away). Presenting Vertebral Subluxation: Axis posterior, Di/D2 PIR, D12/L1 P1.
Original Adjustment: Meningeal contact on sacrum double notch, structural manual adjustment of D1/D2 in lateral flexion and extension, D12/L1 in extension, and axis in extension supine with a spinous contact.