Effectiveness of the bates technique in improving visual acuity among the elderly in selected villages of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: a quasi-experimental study

Background Age-related decline in vision limits independence and daily activities in older adults, and rural elderly often have poor access to eye care. The Bates technique, a set of eye-relaxation and eye-movement exercises, is low-cost, but its benefit remains unproven. This study assessed its effectiveness on visual acuity scores among rural elderly in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Methods A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test study was conducted in Ramnagar, Bhawanipur and Kukradev villages. Sixty adults aged 60 years or older with decreased vision were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected with a socio-demographic questionnaire and a 15-item Likert-type visual acuity rating scale. After the pre-test, participants practised supervised Bates exercises (palming, blinking, shifting, swinging, sunning, near–far focusing, eye movements) daily for seven days; the post-test used the same scale on day 8. Paired t-test and chi-square test were applied at α = 0.05. Results At pre-test, 42 (70.00%) participants were at the not-effective level, 14 (23.33%) mildly effective and 4 (6.67%) moderately effective. At post-test, none remained not effective; 47 (78.33%) were mildly effective, 9 (15.00%) moderately effective and 4 (6.67%) highly effective. The mean score rose from 30.26 ± 6.42 to 41.28 ± 7.43 (mean difference 11.02; 95% CI 9.70–12.35; t(59) = 16.65, p < 0.001). Chi-square tests showed no significant association between pre-test scores and any socio-demographic variable (all p > 0.05). Conclusion Visual acuity scores improved significantly after one week of Bates technique practice. Without a control group or objective acuity testing, part of this gain may reflect relaxation, expectation and testing effects. Recommendation Bates exercises may be offered as a supportive eye-comfort activity alongside, never instead of, refraction and eye examination. Randomised controlled trials using Snellen or LogMAR charts are needed.