Vision

[the.fee.fairy]

I've not been around a lot lately because i'm trying not to stare at screens for too long.

4 years ago, i was slightly long sighted, but i went to the opticians last week and i'm now short sighted.

Has anyone got any tips on how to stop my eyes deteriorating? i use computers for at least 8 hours a day, and most of that is directly in front of the screen.

I also enjoy doing what would be classed as close work - knitting, sewing, reading etc.

Any tips?

[Silver Ether]

my sight has improved this time... long sight is much improved and the short sight has improved very slightyly... the only thing I have done differently is yog ey exercises;
Eye exercises are great for tired, over computerized eyes and will help keep your eyes healthy. Lots of eye problems are due to a loss of tone in the eye muscles or they were very weak to begin with. As we get older muscles loose some of the elasticity as in the rest other muscles of the body. The lens in the eye cannot focus at different distances. It also causes the eyesight to become weaker. If you already have eye problems when you begin these exercises, they will improve .
When doing the eye exercises keep your eyes open and don't move your head. Oh and if you wear contacts remove them … my friend has trouble if she tries to do them with her contacts in.
Sitting in a good straight backed comfy position , open your eyes, your spine erect. Hands on the knees. Body relaxed. Head straight. This is how you should always stay while doing eye exercises. The whole body must be motionless; nothing must move except the eyes.
When you first try these exercises you will find your eyes darting from place to the next. The aim is to go slowly and controlled; believe me its harder than you would think. Oh keep a tissues handy as your eyes can run…

Exercise 1

Sitting looking forward like you’re looking at a clock centre. Move your eyes upwards as far as you can, and then downwards as far as you can. Repeat four more times. Blink quickly a few times to relax the eye muscles. Remember to move eyes only, not your head.

Exercise 2

Now do the same using points to your right and to your left, at eye level. Looking at 3 on your imaginary clock and across to nine Repeat four times, blink several times, then close your eyes and rest.
Exercise 3

Starting at the 12 on your clock move your eyes slowly to the 1 then 2 then 3 … until you have gone round the clock to the 12 again.. Blink several times. Then go round the other way 12, 11, 10 … Until you are back at the 12. Blink your eyes several times and rest.
Exercise 5

This is one given to us by an optician for our Katy when she was about 9 years old and it prevented her having to have glasses.
Take a pencil, or use your finger, and hold it under the tip of your nose. Then start moving it away, without raising it, until you have fixed it at the closest possible distance where you can see it clearly without any blur. Then raise your eyes a little, look straight into the distance and there find a small point which you can also see very clearly.
Now look at the closer point-the pencil or your finger tip then shift to the farther point in the distance. Repeat several times, blink, close your eyes and squeeze them tight.

Exercise 6

Close your eyes as tightly as you possibly can. Really squeeze the eyes, so the eye muscles contract. Hold this contraction for three seconds, and then let go quickly.
This exercise causes a deep relaxation of the eye muscles, and is especially beneficial after the slight strain caused by the eye exercises. Blink the eyes a few times.

Exercise 7

This is called 'palming' and is very relaxing to the eyes I wish it was called something different …It's an ideal way to finish off the eye exercises.
Remain seated. Now briskly rub your palms to charge them with electricity and place the cupped palms over your closed eyes. The fingers of the right hand should be crossed over the fingers of the left hand on the forehead. I apply a little pressure to my third eye area on this .. The neck should be kept straight. Don't bend your head. Do the deep breathing while palming your eyes.
If you are going to do the palming for longer than a few minutes, better sit down at a table, place some books or pillows in front of you to support your elbows so that you will be able to keep the neck straight, and palm the eyes in this position. If the palming is done for only a short period one can do deep breathing for half a minute or so at first, gradually increasing it every week.
This exercise helps to do away with eye strain, and tension. Your vision will get better and clearer as the ophthalmic, or eye, nerves receive a richer supply of blood. Some people use this to improve their vision.

[mrsflibble]

I have no idea how to help, but wanted to offer....erm....support. condolences isn't the right word lol!

[eccentric_emma]

i'm really interested in these exercises - how often should you do them?

[Silver Ether]

I would start with a couple of time the first week then three and so on ... I do them most days if I remember . The palming one when you rub your hands together and put over your eyes can be done as often as you like. its wonderful for tired computer eyes. dont overdo the exersices at first as you could strain the muscles as you would any where else in your body if you over do it ...

[the.fee.fairy]

Oooh thankyou for the exercises!

I've got my glasses now so the eye strain and headaches are clearing, but i'm definitely going to give those exercises a go when my eyes feel like they need a rest!