In my opinion photofocus isn't an end in itself, it's the frame of mind that accompanies it. If you read any neuroscience texts it is clear that you cannot maintain alpha brainwaves patterns (associated with accelerated learning) with your eyes open. However i believe that by not hard focussing on anything maybe you could achieve the alpha state while open-eyed. What i mean to say is that it's probably not necessary to get hung up on the mechanics of what your eyes are doing.
Nick
