Who knew that in 2023 glasses-shaming would become a thing? Probably nobody, but here we are.
A Canadian wellness influencer named Samantha Lotus is being raked over the coals for falsely claiming that glasses are not required to correct poor vision, and that optometrists have been lying when they say otherwise.
In an Instagram video that was shared on X (formerly Twitter), Lotus, who calls herself a “holistic master coach,” claimed:
"There are mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual reasons why you may not be seeing and I'm here to tell you that that can be healed."
You can watch a clip here.
I guess it was only a matter of time before the anti-glasses grift became a thing?\n\nThis community is so hellbent on having a contrarian opinion on every incredible scientific invention.— mallory (she/her)\ud83d\udcac (@mallory (she/her)\ud83d\udcac) 1694178650
In the description accompanying her post, Lotus said:
"I personally have reversed my 'need for glasses' and helped others do it too."
"It starts with a possibility, followed by a decision, integrated with aligned action."
"I'm teaching an $11 master class this week called VISIO and it is going to blow your mind."
You don't say.
@this_is_mallory Not the masterclass on how to see\ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude2d she really went there— MADkurious (@MADkurious) 1694211218
People on social media saw her scam clearly and mocked her with sarcasm.
You don\u2019t need glasses, your eyes just aren\u2019t spiritual enough \ud83d\ude18— mallory (she/her)\ud83d\udcac (@mallory (she/her)\ud83d\udcac) 1694209231
@this_is_mallory How long until \u201cYou don\u2019t REALLY need to use toilet paper\u201d?— Dan Bianco (@Dan Bianco) 1694181885
@this_is_mallory Yeah exactly. I fix my vision with crystals! They\u2019re ground into a shape that helps me see and I keep them in front of my eyes all day with a special little holder— midhusband (@midhusband) 1694186450
@this_is_mallory It\u2019s true, I fixed my vision with spiritually healing crystals. All I needed to do was pay someone to fashion them into thin lenses and put them in a frame so they could rest on my face and constantly send positive energy to my eyes.— WhiskyTitan (@WhiskyTitan) 1694201151
@this_is_mallory Me after the first masterclass— jan \ud83d\ude80 (@jan \ud83d\ude80) 1694428772
@this_is_mallory Omg heal me with ur herbs and rituals queen , let me shall see again \ud83d\ude01— \u2661 MADDY \u2661 (@\u2661 MADDY \u2661) 1694251183
In a post on Friday, Lotus claimed 338 people signed up for her online master class.
She wrote in the caption:
“If you’re closed minded and want to stay a victim, this is NOT FOR YOU."
In a follow-up video, the science denier addressed those who called her out for her "quackery" and said her video healing practices were fake.
The anti-glasses influencer became aggressive with her pitch and shamed bespectacled viewers who were hesitant about coming on board with her so-called treatment plan.
"You can choose to stay blind," she asserted passive-aggressively. "That's great."
"But I have done this on myself. I have worked with my clients. I have worked with family members," said Lotus, missing a prime opportunity to insert credible testimonials to validate her healing strategy.
"I have seen people take off their glasses and not need them anymore and over and over and over again."
She further ranted in the video:
"Some people live with their eyes and their mind completely glued shut, and that's okay. That's their thing. Yet, it's not the truth."
Who wants a bet she convinced 3 people to take their glasses off but they still secretly wear them when she\u2019s not around?— mallory (she/her)\ud83d\udcac (@mallory (she/her)\ud83d\udcac) 1694193996
People appreciated neither her approach nor her ableism.
@this_is_mallory As a glasses wearer, this video just made me irrationally angry— pear (@pear) 1694250076
@this_is_mallory But glasses are attractive. Also rubbing crystals in your eye or praying the astigmatism away or whatever this is isn\u2019t going to do anything and just put people at risk of hurting themselves— Howlie Tigerpaw the wolger! (@Howlie Tigerpaw the wolger!) 1694440752
@this_is_mallory I have an astigmatism homie. You gonna surgically alter the shape of my eyeball for 11 bucks?— Jessica Green (@Jessica Green) 1694455816
Although her website does not mention any medical credentials, she said she adopts “Lifestyle Alchemy, Holistic Health, Positive Psychology, Quantum Physics, Spirituality and Heart-led Entrepreneurship.”
A spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology told The Daily Beast that there were limited options for healing presbyopia, or farsightedness.
Said the AAO spokesperson.
“The only way to correct it is corrective lenses (reading glasses or contact lenses), surgery, or medicated prescription eye drops."
They added that there is “no scientific evidence” to support alternative practices such as “eye yoga,” exercises that some claimed could help presbyopia.
Lotus responded to the backlash through an email to the media outlet, saying:
“I understand that people are skeptical and worried about grifters and uneducated ‘influencer’ scammers online."
She further claimed to have studied psychology, sociology, and naturopathic medicine as well as “extensive training in anatomy, physiology, biology, pathology of disease and iridology.”
According to the outlet, Lotus described the aim of her class was "self-healing," which encouraged clients to avoid blue light, cut back on screentime, do specific eye and neck exercises, and incorporate specific nutrients in their diet.
In spite of all the hate mail she's received online, she is able to ignore the noise.
“Their negative energy does not affect me," Lotus said.