Eye Exercises Help

When it comes to exercise, people all too often focus all their efforts into the body core and forget to exercise their eyes. We must remember that as we age our "focus" becomes an event that introduces poor vision and subsequent glasses into our lives.

Below are a few examples of eye exercises that may prevent an early departure from excellent sight.

*Changing Focus
Hold a magazine or book as close to your eyes as possible without the print becoming blurred. Focus on the words for 15 seconds. Then, look at an object at least 10 feet away and focus on that. Refocus on the magazine; then refocus again on the distant object. Repeat five times. This exercise helps build stamina so you don't experience eye fatigue as often when working on close tasks.

*Eye "Push Ups"
Hold a pencil at arm's length in front of your face. Slowly move it toward your nose, holding your focus at the same spot on the pencil. The objective is to bring the pencil to the tip of your nose before you see a double image of the pencil. This exercise strengthens the "convergence ability" of your eyes (that is, the ability of both eyes to aim at the same task), which helps prevent eyestrain and may eliminate the "floating print" that can occur when your eyes are tired.

*Eye rolls
Close your eyes. Slowly roll your eyes in a complete circle; then move them from left to right. Repeat this exercise three times. This improves blood and oxygen flow to your eyes.

*Palming & Cupping
Note: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before trying this exercise. Close your eyes. Place the base of your palms over your eyes and press gently for a few seconds. Then cup your hands and place them over your open eyes. Look into your cupped palms as you slowly breathe in and out through your nose for 30 seconds. This exercise relaxes tired eyes.

*Blinking or Yawning
Both actions produce tears to help moisten and lubricate the eyes.

"As long as I've got my eyesight, I'm not going to stop."