Eye Exercises for Nearsightedness

Several companies sell programs that claim eye exercises can help you ditch your glasses. While no evidence backs up this claim, eye exercises can work the muscles in the eye and slightly improve vision for the nearsighted. None of them require anything you would need to purchase. Most eye exercises are based on the findings of William Bates, an early 20th century oculist.

Palming

• Because close, intense work such as reading or working on the computer might contribute to myopia (nearsightedness), the eye relaxation method known as palming gives working eyes some rest. Cover the eyes with each palm to shut out all the light in the room. Keep your eyes open until they focus on the blackness. Then close your eyes, focusing on darkness for about five minutes. Take deep breaths to help relax. Repeat this exercise at least once per day.

Sunning

• How our eyes perceive light determines whether our vision is good or poor. This Bates technique practices focusing with eyes closed under bright light. Point a desk lamp toward the eyes. Close your eyes and then turn on the lamp. Move it so that the light is not hurting your eyes. Keeping eyes closed, focus on an imaginary point about 10 feet away. Turn your head slowly from side to side so that one eye remains in the light and the other in the shade while still focusing on that point. Repeat this for about 2 or 3 minutes to complete sunning. When finished, it's important to palm to really stimulate the eye muscles.

Pencil Pushups

• This method will prevent eyes from straining, a common feeling for people with nearsightedness after trying to view distant objects. Hold a pencil near the nose just before the pencil starts to appear double. Imagine a tic-tac-toe board in front of you. Extend the pencil to each imaginary square and then bring it back to the starting position. Move your eyes to follow the movement of the pencil. Do this exercise once daily.