Can Eye Exercises Cure Myopia? The Science Behind
Myopia is a common eye condition that affects millions of people around the world. While several treatment options, including eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery may correct it, many claim that eye exercises may cure myopia and improve vision.
However, do these exercises offer a solution, or are they just a myth? In this post, we will explore whether eye exercises can truly cure myopia!
Understanding Myopia
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error in which closer objects appear clearly but distant objects appear blurred. It occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea is too curved. This causes light rays to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it.
The symptoms of myopia include eye strain, the need to squint, and headaches. Glasses and contact lenses may correct myopia and laser eye surgery is a long-term corrective treatment.
Eye Exercises For Myopia
Many eye exercises are recommended for myopia, which involves strengthening the muscles around the eye, thereby reducing fatigue and strain on the eyes. They may also help improve the focusing ability of the eye.
If you are looking for guidance on exercises for your eyes, it is best to consult with an ophthalmologist.
Here are a few common eye exercises often suggested for people with myopia:
Palming
This technique involves rubbing your hands together to create warmth and then placing them over your closed eyes for several minutes. Relaxing the eye muscles helps reduce eye strain.
Blinking
Simple blinking exercises, including consciously blinking every few seconds, especially during screen time may help keep the eyes lubricated and reduce eye strain.
Sunning
Sunning involves facing the sun with your eyelids closed allowing the warmth and light to penetrate your eyes. It is believed to stimulate dopamine production which in turn may have a positive impact on overall eye health.
Eye Rolling
Eye rolling involves rolling the eyes in a circular motion, both clockwise and anticlockwise. It may help strengthen eye muscles, reduce tension, and improve overall eye coordination.
Near and Far Focusing
Near and far focusing involves focusing on a near object for a few seconds, then switching to a distant object, and then back to the near object. Repeat this process several times. It helps in improving the flexibility of the eye’s focusing system.
Figure 8s
Figure 8s involves looking at an area on the floor about 8-10 feet away and moving your eyes along the imaginary figure 8. Continue tracing 8s for about 30 seconds before switching directions.
20-20-20
20-20-20 may help prevent eye strain. If you work at a computer all day, for every 20 minutes look at something at about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Can Eye Exercises Cure Myopia? Solving The Myth
Eye exercises if practiced regularly may help delay the need for glasses or contact lenses in a few people. If eyes are tired from close-up work, including staring at the computer, or phone, taking visual breaks or practicing eye exercises may be helpful. However, no specific exercises are beneficial for curing myopia.
Despite the popularity of eye exercises for myopia, the scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness in treating or reversing myopia is limited.
A study showed that Chinese eye exercises have a modest potential to control myopic vision in children and adolescents. However, these exercises may not be enough to prevent myopia progression in the long term.
Another meta-analysis including 11 studies suggested that eye exercises may have limited or no efficacy in preventing or controlling the progression of myopia.
These exercises cannot cure myopia, improve vision, or reverse the physical changes in eye shape associated with it. However, they may help reduce the eye strain associated with it. Also, environmental factors, including stress and fatigue, may benefit from eye exercises.
Until scientific research proves otherwise, it is important to understand that eye exercises cannot cure myopia and cannot be a substitute for proper medical care.
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Conclusion
Eye exercises are unlikely to fix myopia but may help reduce its associated eye strain. If you have myopia, it is essential to have your eyes regularly checked by an Ophthalmologist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can eye exercises prevent the progression of myopia in children?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that eye exercises can slow down the progression of myopia. While eye exercises may help alleviate eye strain in children, they may not prevent or reverse myopia. It is recommended to have regular eye exams and different effective strategies, including contact lenses or specialized glasses may be required.
How often should I do eye exercises?
Eye exercises can be done a few times to help reduce eye fatigue, especially if you spend more time working with a screen and reading. The 20-20-20 rule is one of the simplest exercises to follow regularly throughout the day. However, it is preferable to get guidance from an Ophthalmologist.
What are the benefits of eye exercises for myopia?
Eye exercises may help reduce eye strain due to prolonged work, including reading, using a computer, or staring at a phone screen. It may improve your ability to focus on objects at varying distances but may not correct the refractive error of myopia.
Can I improve my eyesight if I have myopia?
For both children and adults, glasses and contact lenses may help correct myopia. There are several types of refractive surgeries that may be suitable to correct myopia in adults.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10036375/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-lowdown-on-eye-exercises
- https://www.umassmed.edu/news/news-archives/2024/06/eye-exercises-to-improve-sightis-there-any-science-behind-them/
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/will-eye-exercises-cure-myopia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37740051