Effective eye exercises: Dr Somdutt Prasad

Regular exercise keeps eyes healthy. With increased usage of computers at home and office, eye exercises can help reduce blurred vision, headaches, strain and irritation. In this article, Dr Somdutt Prasad — a famous ophthalmologist and retinal specialist — discusses few effective eye exercises.

Blinking

A simple exercise, often overlooked, that keeps eyes fresh. Regular blinking helps eyes focus for long periods. Most of us while sitting in front of computers or watching television tend to blink less. This puts excessive strain on our eyes. During these activities, it is vital to blink in every 3 to 4 seconds. When we blink our eyes, they go into a brief period of darkness. This helps them stay fresh.

Palming

Palming is another effective exercise that helps reduce stress around the eyes. Before starting, take a few deep breaths and make yourself comfortable.Cover both eyes with the palms with your fingers on the forehead. Ensure that you do not put too much pressure on your eyes and can blink freely. Few minutes of this exercise gives your eyes plenty of relief.

Focusing on near and far objects

You can do this exercise from anywhere. Sit comfortably and put an object close (about 10 to 15 inches) to your eyes. Focus on it for sometime. After that, focus on an object at about 20 feet away. Switch your focus from the near and far object and the exercise will strengthen eye muscles over a period of time.  

Shifting

Rapid shifting of eyes is helpful in problems such as a farsightedness,
nearsightedness and squint. Making small-scale shifts trying to sense various sections of an object is helpful. It helps in overcoming the above vision difficulties.

Zooming

Zooming is another useful exercise that provides relief to eyes. Take an object and focus on it with your arm outstretched. Now bring the object close to you and again move it away. Continue it for few minutes.

When you face problems in your vision, immediately consult an eye specialist. It is important to go for regular eye checkups and follow your doctor’s instructions to keep eyes healthy.