"I can't see" is probably the most common negative, or limiting, statement many people have about seeing, especially those who need glasses. Just think how many times you've said that to yourself throughout the years - without even really thinking about it - "I can't see," "I can't see without glasses," "I can't see that," "I can't see this," etc. etc.

On the other hand, most people who have clear vision take it for granted. They don't necessarily think positively about their eyes. But if a person has a vision problem, they often start to develop a set of negative thoughts and attitudes about their eyes. In fact, a cluster of negativity around vision and seeing often precedes - and sustains - a vision problem.

Every time you put on glasses or contacts you are saying to yourself, "I can't see without these." When you say, "I can't see," there's a part of you that believes it to be true. This, in turn, leads to your not even bothering to look at anything without them. The less you look, the less you see; the less you see, the less you look. The spiral continues. Downward.

Another learned bad habit is not bothering to look at the world without your glasses because you cannot see it clearly. To counter this, take the time to look into your "blur zone" - that part of your visual world that you are not yet seeing as clearly as you would like. Notice - and accept - what you are seeing. It may not be what you think you should be seeing, but relax, breathe easily and blink as you look. Notice what you can see and how you feel. The more you look, the more you see; the more you see, the more you look. The more the visual centers of the brain become re-engaged in seeing. The spiral continues. Upward.

You have the power to deliberately and consciously change your inner focus. When you consistently exercise that power over time, not only will your attitudes about your vision change, but your overall outlook and perspective will also undergo a major shift.

"My vision is always improving," "I'm looking for my vision to change," "My vision is becoming clearer and clearer every day" and "I want to see more" are all just as "true" in describing your current situation, but they also reinforce the possibility of change.

If you would like a list of 40 additional positive statements about your eyes, email at [email protected].

Many scientists and medical professionals already understand and appreciate that the condition of the body is affected by the content of the thoughts and the nature of the feelings. And, when you start to change these mental and emotional patterns for yourself, the body - and the eyes - responds.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as saying "I want to see" once and then having your vision become perfectly clear. That is an important first step but most often the habit patterns that you want to change go deeper. It is what we hold to be true subconsciously and emotionally that has the most profound effect on how we see. Consistent efforts at releasing negative thoughts and emotional barriers and practicing positive visualization can change the deeper subconscious patterns.

And, that's exactly what I'll talk about in next month's column.

Martin Sussman, an internationally known expert in holistic vision care, is the author of five books, audio courses and DVDs, including the #1 best-selling The Program for Better Vision and the Read Without Glasses Method (for middle age sight). He is the founder and president of the Cambridge Institute for Better Vision, which he established in 1976. He can be reached at [email protected]. Information about his approach to vision improvement that is more than eye exercises can be found at www.bettervision.com.