Did you know that eye exercises can keep your vision strong? Eye exercises can even reduce an eyeglass prescription. The practice of daily eye exercises has been used for thousands of years in Asian cultures.
Vision Therapy and Eye Exercise
In Western culture, vision therapy goes back over 150 years, originally as a non-surgical treatment for strabismus (eye misalignment), using eye exercises to strengthen the weak eye. The muscles of the eyes are no different from the muscles in the rest of the body. If you exercise them daily, they are better able to flex the eye lens for near and far vision, as well as the intraocular and extraocular muscles that enable one to move and rotate the eyeballs.
Vision disorders can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, sleepiness when reading, problems with depth perception, needing to re-read frequently, and problems with eye-tracking and focusing. If the two eyes are not working evenly together, a person might feel out-of-touch. Untreated vision disorders can cause frustration, anxiety, and fatigue, and can result in a lower quality of life.
Eye exercises practiced daily help to improve the free flow of energy and blood throughout the eyes, including the retina and optic nerve which in turn promote healthy vision. Poor flow of energy and circulation is often a contributing and even possibly causative factor to more serious eye issues, including macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal artery occlusion, macular edema, and more.
The Bates Method
Back in 1891, Bates published an article in the New York Medical Journal claiming to have successfully reversed seven cases of nearsightedness, or “myopia.” In 1911, claiming to have taught myopic schoolchildren how to correctly focus in the distance, the Bates Method is about changing your visual straining habits that can result in poorer eyesight. This practice is done primarily through the relaxation of eyes and mind to regain normal, effortless eyesight, which is comprised of both central clarity and expansive peripheral vision.
Since then, vision therapy has advanced the Bates theory and techniques which include some of the Bates Method techniques to further enhance the ability to help improve one’s vision naturally. Listen to Dr. Marc Grossman’s podcast on the Bates Method.
Eye Exercises Today
This is particularly relevant in modern times due to the extensive near work done daily through computer use and cell phones, which puts ongoing stress on our visual system and which, over time, can cause changes in vision, and potentially lead to eye conditions such as myopia, glaucoma, dry eyes and computer eye strain.
Here are a couple of great eye exercises to practice daily.
Exercise # 1: NEAR AND FAR FOCUS
This exercise helps to improve the eyes’ flexibility as they shift from distance viewing to near visual focus.
- Remember to breathe. Take two deep breaths to begin.
- You can either stand or sit with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands at your sides. Do not cross your hands. If you’re standing, let your knees bend slightly.
- Hold your thumb six inches away from your eyes, directly in front of your nose.
- Gaze easily at your thumb and take a deep breath.
- Next, focus on a distant object at least ten feet away and take a deep breath. Change your focus every breath. Feel the change in your eye muscles as you shift your focus.
Exercise #2: SCANNING
Staring is bad for your eyes because it freezes the energy and muscles, restricting the blood flow. The process of scanning is the opposite of staring. Scanning objects in your environment keeps you alive and energetic.
- Remember to breathe. Take two deep breaths to begin.
- You can stand, sit, or move around your environment.
- As you look at objects, let your eyes glide over them as if you were painting them with your gaze. Continue to breathe deeply and easily.
- As your gaze shifts from object to object allow your eyes to move easily without staring. Don’t forget to continue to keep breathing and blinking. Your eyes should move in a relaxed manner without any tension. Make sure to release any stress you might be holding in your mouth or jaw.
Exercise # 3: ZOOMING
This exercise is designed to improve the flexibility of your eye muscles.
- Remember to breathe. Take two deep breaths to begin.
- Extend your arm all the way out in front of you in line with the center of your body and hold up your thumb.
- As you breathe in, move your thumb slowly towards you as you continuously focus your eyes on it.
Our Free Eye Exercise e-Booklet
See more eye exercises and detailed instructions with our free eye exercise e-booklet. This e-book also shows the acupressure points around the eye you can massage throughout the day.
Also, see our video demonstrations and YouTube playlist.
Supplement Recommendations
Advanced Eye and Vision Support Formula – our whole food, organic, GMO-free formula with lutein and zeaxanthin.
Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps – with lutein, zeaxanthin, mesozeaxanthin and astaxanthin
Dr. Grossman’s Whole Food Combo 2-Month Special – includes 2 bottles of the Advanced Eye and Vision Support formula and 2 bottles of Dr. Grossman’s Whole Food Organic Superfood Multivitamin
Supplement Packages
Computer Eye Strain Package 1 (3-month)
Computer Eye Strain Package 2 (3-month)
Back in Stock
AminoPro (Aminoguanidine) 75 mg 120 tablets – natural anti-aging formula as it reduces glycation, the binding of sugar and protein molecules together related overall again of the body as well as the aging of the eye lens and optic nerve.
Books
Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing
Click on the following link for our free eye exercise e-booklet.
