The number of people wearing contact lenses and glasses has increased drastically over the last two decades. This can be attributed to increased TV watching and computer usage. Defective eyesight is acquired and few people are born with visual abnormalities. However, there is good news: your vision can be improved without wearing glasses.
Your eyes need regular exercise, just like any other muscles in your body, to stay in optimal condition. Once you start wearing lenses regularly, over time, your eyesight will weaken and to function properly, you will need stronger lenses. Your vision will improve if you wear glasses only when necessary and exercise your eyes regularly.
Figure of Eight
This exercise, although quite simple, is effective for increasing the flexibility of your eye muscles. Picture a huge figure of eight, approximately 10 feet in front of you. Slowly trace the figure with your eyes now. Keep doing it one way for a few minutes and for a couple of minutes, do it the other way. It may seem weird at first but the perseverance is worth it.
Blinking
In order to focus longer and keep your eyes fresh, an often overlooked way is blinking. TV watchers and computer users tend to blink less since they are focusing intently on the screen. Blink every 3 to 4 seconds for the next two minutes. Observe the strain on your eyes after blinking for two minutes. Are they tired, relaxed or strained? Now, do not blink for half a minute at a time, going on for at least a couple of minutes. Feel any difference? You are going into a period of darkness whenever you blink your eyes, which help reduce the strain on your eyes by discharging previous information.
Near and Far Focusing
You can do this exercise anywhere. This exercise will improve your vision by strengthening your eye muscles over time. Make yourself comfortable, regardless of whether you are sitting or standing. The entire exercise will only take a couple of minutes of your time. Start by extending your thumb in front of your eyes, about 10 inches, and focus your eyes on it. Next, find a different object to focus on at around the same distance as your thumb. Keep switching between the two, taking a deep breath each time you do so. Go on for up to 3 minutes at a stretch.
Palming
This exercise allows you to rest your eyes and mind for a couple of minutes. If you stop and do this exercise for a few minutes, it will make a difference while you are working. You can do this exercise while taking a computer break as a way to relax your eyes and relieve stress around the eyes. Before you start, take a few deep breaths and get comfortable, placing your elbows on your knees or on a desk, and close your eyes. With your palm covering your eyes, place both your hands over your eyes. Moreover, make sure you don’t exert excessive pressure on your eyes so that you able to blink without hassle.
