You have, indeed, heard about eye exercises and, probably wondered whether your eyes would be able to imitate the crunches and lunges which your limbs do to attain a good level of physical fitness. Eyes, however, can do a different from of exercise that helps to soothe your sight and keep your eyes fit.

Eye exercises probably won’t improve your vision, but they can help with eye comfort, especially if your eyes get irritated at work. A condition known as ‘digital eye strain’ is common among people working at computers all day. This condition can cause dry eyes, eye strain, blurred vision, and headaches. However, a few simple eye exercises may help you improve digital eye strain symptoms.

Here are a few eye exercises that you can try, depending on the needs:

Focus change

This exercise works by challenging your focus. It should be done from a seated position.

Hold your pointer finger a few inches away from your eye.
Focus on your finger.
Slowly move your finger away from your face, holding your focus.
Look away for a moment, into the distance.
Focus on your outstretched finger and slowly bring it back toward your eye.
Look away and focus on something in the distance.
Repeat three times.

Near and far focus

This is another focus exercise to be done from a seated position.

Hold your thumb about 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds.
Find an object roughly 10 to 20 feet away, and focus on it for 15 seconds.
Return your focus to your thumb.
Repeat five times.

Figure eight

This exercise should also be done from a seated position.

Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
Keep tracing for 30 seconds, then switch directions.

20-20-20 rule

Human eyes are not supposed to be glued to a single object for extended periods of time. If you work at a computer all day, the 20-20-20 rule may help prevent digital eye strain. To implement this rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Eye health

Besides eye exercises, one can do a few more things to maintain eye health:

Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every few years even if you haven’t noticed problems. Many serious eye diseases don’t have noticeable symptoms.

Know your family history – some eye diseases are genetic.

If you’re at increased risk for eye problems because you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease, see your eye doctor regularly

Wear sunglasses in the Sun to protect your eyes from damaging UV rays.

Eat healthy. A diet full of healthy fats and antioxidants may help keep eyes healthy. And, yes, eat carrots, a great source of vitamin A, an important nutrient for eye health.

If you need glasses or contact lenses, wear them. Wearing corrective lenses will not weaken your eyes.
Quit smoking. Smoking is bad for your whole body, including your eyes.

Remedy for dry eyes

If your eyes sting and burn, look red, or feel gritty (as if some sand is stuck in them), you may have dry eyes, a condition that can happen when the tiny glands in and around your eyelids don’t make enough tears to keep your eyes moist and healthy.

Tears keep the surface of the eye hydrated and comfortable, they also wash away dust and debris and protect it from infection. However, sometimes, some diseases, medications, or even advancing age can cause your eyes to make less tears.

To help ease irritation and loosen clogged oils, wet a clean washcloth with warm water, wring it out, and place it over your closed eye for a minute. Gently press the edge of your eyelid with your finger to help squeeze out the clogged oils. The moist heat helps loosen up the clogged oils in the glands. Wet the cloth often, so it stays warm, and repeat. Doing this everyday reduces inflammation and soothes the eyes.