Gelfand, of UVA’s Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, noted that the onset of vision loss is often associated with a decrease in exercise. Eye exercises help strengthen weak eye muscles, improving blood circulation and muscle tone.
Your eye muscles should be toned in order to achieve the sharpest vision possible, with help from glasses and contacts, if needed.
5 Exercises to Improve Your Eyes’ Muscle Tone:
Figure Eight:
Try tracing an imaginary horizontal figure eight with your eyes to slow the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness.
Eye Circles:
While sitting or standing, move your eyes in a clockwise direction 20 times, making the circle as wide as you can. Relax for 10 seconds, then repeat in the opposite direction. Doing this three times daily will help to stretch your eye muscles.
Shifting Focus:
Another exercise to help your eyes focus and work together involves a type of focus shift. Without glasses, begin reading text (a book, article, ect.) and then shift your gaze to a different object on the desk (anything other than a line of text). Continue back to the text and keep reading. Switch back and forth until your eyes feel tired, but not strained.
Zooming:
Another great eye exercise that strengthens your eyes and increases your ability to focus is zooming. To perform, sit comfortably in a chair. Hold your thumb out like you are going to hitchhike. Bring your thumb closer to your eye, maintaining a focus on the thumb. Continue moving the thumb toward your eye until it is three inches away. Stretch your arm again, moving your thumb away from your eye. Keep focusing on your thumb the whole time. Do this for two to five minutes.
Repeat three to five times a day.
Palming
Many people use palming during breaks from their computers or televisions. Get comfortable leaning forward onto your desk or a table. If you don’t have a hard surface, place your elbows on your knees and lean forward. Close your eyes, place your hands over your eyes.
The position of your hands is important: the center of your palm should cover your eyes; your fingertips should be on your forehead; the base of your palm will rest on your cheekbone. Do not put pressure on your eyes. You should be able to blink easily. Sit this way for two to three minutes. Repeat this exercise three times a day when working with digital devices. The reason this eye exercise works is because the pressure of your hands around your eyes helps to relieve muscle strain.
Blinking
An easy exercise as blinking can help you see better. This is because blinking helps your eyes stay moist, allowing you to focus longer. Working with digital devices, leads to reduced blinking. Consequently, leading to eye strain and poor vision. Your eyelids serve as the windshield wipers of your eyes! Each time you shut your eyes, the Meibomian glands produce moisture to cleanse your eyes. Blinking helps your eyes feel refreshed ready to focus again.
These exercises help to minimize eye strain, allowing your eyes to work more efficiently.
