How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy and Strong

Just like your body, your eyes need exercise to stay strong and work at their best. Eye exercises can help strengthen eye muscles, improve focus, and support better vision. While there’s no guarantee they’ll fully restore eyesight, they can help maintain your current vision and reduce strain.

Step 1: Check Your Eyes First

Before starting any exercises, get an eye exam from an optometrist. They can identify any issues you may have and let you know if these exercises are safe for you.
Note: Eye exercises won’t help with conditions like nearsightedness, dyslexia, eye muscle paralysis, or severe eye spasms. Avoid these exercises if you have serious issues such as cataracts or a healing cornea.

Step 2: Prepare for Eye Exercises

Find a quiet, well-lit space.
Stay positive and smile. Relaxed, happy eyes work better.
Breathe deeply. Proper breathing improves oxygen flow to your eyes.
Enjoy yourself. Make this a fun activity, not a chore.
Commit to your routine. Consistency is key.
Remove your glasses. Exercises are done best without corrective lenses.

Step 3: Eye Exercises

1. Directional Eye Movements

Up and Down: Look up, then down, focusing each time. Repeat 5 times. Do 3 cycles.
Left and Right: Look left, then right, focusing each time. Repeat 5 times. Do 3 cycles.
Diagonal: Look down-left, then up-right. Repeat 5 times. Then do down-right to up-left. Repeat 3 cycles.
Zig-Zag Up and Down: Move your eyes in a zig-zag pattern vertically.

2. Figure 8 Exercise

Imagine a large figure 8 on the floor about 10 feet ahead.
Trace it slowly with your eyes.
Do a few minutes clockwise, then counterclockwise.
Try this both standing and lying down.

3. Eye Rolling

Roll your eyes clockwise 5 times, then counterclockwise 5 times. Repeat 3 cycles.
For variety, roll your eyes in gradually expanding circles.

4. Near and Far Focus

Focus on a nearby object (like a pencil 10 inches away).
Shift your focus to something farther away (5–10 feet).
Alternate 5 times. Repeat 3 cycles.

Step 4: Relax Your Eyes

Palming: Rub your hands together to warm them, then place them gently over your closed eyes. Relax and breathe for 1–2 minutes.
Optional: Simply rest your eyes in a dark, quiet room.

Step 5: Eye Massage for Better Circulation

Pressure Points: Massage temples, middle of eyebrows, and outer corners of eyes twice a day.
Warm and Cold Compress: Apply a warm towel for 2–3 minutes, then a cold towel for the same time.
Full Face Massage: Use a warm towel on your neck, forehead, and cheeks, then gently massage your eyes.
Eyelid Massage: Wash hands, close eyes, and massage gently in circular motions for 1–2 minutes.

By practicing these exercises and massages regularly, you can help maintain strong, healthy eyes and reduce strain, keeping your vision at its best.