Millions of Brits wear them every day.
But now an anti-glasses influencer is claiming that visually impaired people don’t actually need lenses to help them see.
Samantha Lotus, a self-titled “holistic coach” in Canada, said vision problems are caused by “mental,” “emotional” and “spiritual” reasons that “can be cured.”
The 35-year-old touts an $11 (£8.80) course that offers “holistic multidimensional healing” to people with vision problems.
But experts denounced quackery, warning that Ms Lotus’s claims were not based on scientific evidence or data and were potentially dangerous.
Samantha Lotus, a self-titled “holistic coach,” said vision problems are caused by “mental,” “emotional” and “spiritual” reasons that “can be cured.”
In a video shared on her now-private TikTok account, Ms Lotus said: “What’s the one thing your optometrist doesn’t want you to know?
“The fact that you don’t need glasses.”
“It’s true, you may have been told you need glasses, but that’s actually a lie.
“There are mental, emotional, physical and even spiritual reasons why you may not see and I am here to tell you that it can be healed.”
In the video’s caption, she claimed to have “reversed” her need for glasses and helped others do the same.
She told her followers she was offering a two-hour masterclass that would “blow their minds” and was accessible to those who are “ready to really see” and “open to holistic multidimensional healing.”
She added: “If you are closed-minded and want to remain a victim, this is NOT FOR YOU.”
In other videos, she claims to have seen people “take off their glasses and don’t need them anymore.”
User vision “.
The user shared photos from the class, attended by more than 100 people, in which Ms Lotus showed a slide stating she had no medical background.
But she then outlined her “holistic approach” to vision healing, which includes spiritual, mental and physical activities.
According to the NHS, glasses, contact lenses and laser eye surgery are the only ways to improve vision.
Among Ms. Lotus’s spiritual recommendations was the practice of “eye affirmations” – such as “my eyes are healthy and I see clearly.”
She also asked participants to visualize their eyes being healthy, try Reiki – a form of Japanese alternative medicine – or prayer to “balance the flow of energy around your eyes”, as well as meditation.
Under mental steps to improve vision, his slides suggest that eye problems are triggered by an event that affects vision, leading people to adopt “the belief” that they cannot see. Accordingly, people should “process their old emotions” and “choose to see.”
People with vision problems should also practice physical healing by reducing stress, taking breaks from screens, staying hydrated, and exercising.
She also encourages those who cannot see properly to apply essential oils around their eyes.
Opticians described Ms Lotus’ advice as dangerous.
Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, clinical advisor at the College of Optometrists, told MailOnline that Ms Lotus’s ‘holistic techniques’ are not evidence-based.
Samantha Lotus, 35, from Canada, reiterated that she can correct people’s poor eyesight through “holistic, multidimensional healing.”
The Twitter user shared photos of the course, attended by more than 100 people, in which Ms Lotus showed a slide stating she had no medical training.
But she then outlined her “holistic approach” to vision healing, which includes spiritual, mental and physical activities.
He said: “I don’t see anything that’s based on evidence. There is no evidence or science to suggest that these methods would work.
Ms Hardiman-McCartney said she was concerned the Canadian was giving people “false confidence” because those who believe their sight is cured might try to drive their car without glasses, putting lives at risk .
There are only two proven ways to correct poor eyesight, according to Giles Edmond, director of clinical services at Specsavers.
Mr Edmond told MailOnline: ‘The first is to wear corrective lenses, such as prescription glasses or contact lenses prescribed by an optometrist.
“The second is to undergo a laser correction procedure to change the shape of the front of the eye.
“We recommend that anyone with vision problems make an appointment with an optometrist.”
Other opticians have also refuted Ms Lotus’ claims, saying there is no evidence to support the claims.
Tina Patel, optician at Feel Good Contacts, said: “If your optician has informed you that you need to use corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) to help you see better, then no amount of yoga or eye meditation will help. ‘is planned. to change that.
“There is no evidence that holistic approaches can cure your eyesight.”
Ophthalmology experts have revealed that Ms Lotus’s advice is not only based on myths, but can also be harmful to visually impaired people.
Roshni Kanabar, clinical advisor at the Association of Optometrists, told MailOnline: ‘It’s a myth that wearing glasses can make your eyes weak, and it is potentially dangerous to claim that people who have been prescribed glasses glasses or contact lenses do not need them.”
