Eye Problems can include macular degeneration, amblyopia (Lazy Eye), astigmatism, blepharitis, cataracts, conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), color blindness, glaucoma, keratoconus, myopia (Nearsightedness), or simply eye fatigue. We do daily exercise so that we can improve the body's health... Well, it stands to reason that you would do the same for your eyes. Patients and doctors alike agree that eye exercises are often effective in relieving eye strain and stress. Eye problems such as esotropia (the eye turns in) or exotroia (the eye turns out) may also improve through exercises.



Just as you would do when starting physical exercise, you may want to discuss with your eye doctor before doing any eye exercises. There are some rare conditions that could cause your eyes to be strained even further or quite possibly incur further permanent damage to your eyes. When doing the exercises explained here you will need a pencil. Also, if you are wearing contacts, you may want to remove them. You could possibly have problems with your contacts if you wear them during the exercises, they could fold, become dislodged or even suction to the eyeball. Whatever you do, do not apply pressure to your eyeballs and you may want to do the exercises in private (or at least tell those around you what you are doing - you will see why in a second.).

Starting Your Eye Exercises:

Sit in a chair in a comfortable position. Briskly rub your hands together until they are warm. Close your eyes and cover them gently with your warmed hands, palms slightly cupped. Do not apply pressure to your eyeballs. Relax and practice some deep breathing as you de-stress your body as well as your eyes. You can repeat this process for a few minutes.

Now, squeeze your eyes shut for several seconds (about 5), then open them wide for several seconds. Repeat this 7 or 8 times, then using the tips of your fingers, close your eyes and gently massage your eyes. Using a circular motion, remember a circular motion and remember not to press too hard. Do this for about one minute. The next step is to gently press three fingers against the upper eyelid of each eye and hold for 1-2 seconds then release. Repeat this process five times.

Now, roll your eyes in a clockwise direction, then in a counter-clockwise direction. Repeat this motion five times, making sure that you blink between each repetition. Now sit near a window, about six inches from the glass, and make a mark on the glass at eye level. Make sure that the mark is large enough and dark enough for you to see. A red or black sticker would work well in this instance. Direct your eyes toward the mark and focus on something beyond it for 10 to 15 seconds. Return your focus to the mark for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat this several times. (This will allow your eyes to focus on something in the distance, and then to focus on a close up object.) You can do different personalized variations of this. But you get the general idea.

Get your pencil, this is where you will use it. Hold your pencil at arm's length in front of you. Slowly move the pencil toward your nose, keeping your eyes on the pencil until you can no longer focus on it. Repeat this about ten times. This is an easy exercise you can do at any time.

Make time to do these exercises on a regular basis. If you spend a lot of time in front of the computer, make sure that you look away for 5 to 10 seconds at a distant object every 30 minutes, in order to reduce eye strain and damage.

Eating healthy and taking the right nutritional supplements can also help your eyes. For example, vitamins A and C, vitamin E have shown that they may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.