Computer Eye Exercises

Even with the best ergonomic environment, sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods can cause eye strain, throbbing headaches and can even affect your vision. Taking frequent breaks allows the eyes to refocus and relax. In addition, exercising your eyes can help relieve computer eye strain and strengthen your eyes.

Purpose

• Computer eye exercises are a suggested method for easing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). According to the American Optometric Association, "Computer Vision Syndrome is the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work, which are experienced during or related to computer use." Symptoms of CVS include dry, irritated eyes, blurred or double vision and headaches.

Eye Exercises

• Computer eye exercises are easy to do. One exercise involves holding up an item--or even a finger--about 6 inches from your nose. Focus on it for one slow breath and then focus on something 10 feet away. Repeat this 15 times. Another exercise is done by closing your eyes and slowly moving them toward the top of your head, then toward your chin and then toward each ear. This full repetition needs to be done six times. Vision Works offers a full set of free exercises and recommends eye scanning. This exercise involves allowing your eyes to slowly scan objects around the room.

Time Frame

• Natural Eye Care recommends that, among other things, computer users do eye exercises every hour to help ease CVS. Doing these exercises once an hour allows the eyes to rest from the strain of staring at a computer and strengthens the eye muscles. Natural Eye Care also offers a free guide to eye exercises.

Benefits

• Dr. Marc Grossman of Vision Works, states, "With the correct eye care program that includes eye exercises, and proper diet and supplementation, you can significantly effect and even improve your vision." Natural Eye Care agrees: "As we age, the eye muscles become weaker and the lens of the eyes stiffer. Doing regular eye exercises can help keep the eye muscles strong and the eye lens flexible."

Considerations

• Dr. Grossman and other experts agree that eye exercises are not sufficient by themselves to alleviate CVS. In addition to exercises, regular vision checkups should be scheduled, where a patient can discuss his particular concerns with a qualified eye care professional.