Yoga Exercise For Eyes: Understanding The Benefits

Benefits of Yoga For Eyes

Key highlights or summary

  • Adults spend 60% of their time looking at screens.
  • Our eyes are among the most frequently used organs in our bodies.
  • Except for blindness, yoga has the potential to treat nearly every eye disorder.
  • Yoga for the eyes and eye exercises can be complementary treatment for improving eyesight.
  • Yoga asanas such as Halasana, Balasana, Padahastasana, Sirsasana, and others protect and improve the health of your eyes.

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  4. Kim SD.et al. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Jun;28(6):1813-5.
  5. Galina D, et al. Int J Yoga. 2020 Sep-Dec;13(3):223-226.

Frequently asked questions

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Eye strain is common for those who work with screens. To relieve eye strain fast, you can:

  • Take regular breaks, and focus on an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Blink often.
  • Adjust lighting, position your screen or reading material at a comfortable distance keep it about 20 to 24 inches away from your eyes and slightly below eye level.
  • Use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to help keep your eyes moist and relieve discomfort.
  • Perform eye exercises to strengthen your eye muscles and relieve strain.
  • Optimize your screen contrast settings to reduce eye strain. Consider using computer glasses or screen filters for computer screens.

To strengthen your eyes, you can:

  • Include foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like zinc and selenium. Examples include leafy green vegetables, carrots, citrus fruits, berries, fish, nuts, and seeds.
  • Regular eye yoga and exercises for eye strain can help improve eye muscle strength and flexibility and relieve eye pressure.
  • Maintain good posture and distance when reading or working on a computer. Follow the 20-20-20 rule, looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. 
  • Regular check-ups allow for early detection of any potential issues and treat them early.
  • Limit screen time, and use blue light filters or glasses to reduce the strain caused by digital screens.
  • Quitting or reducing smoking can benefit your eye health.

Even though reversing deteriorated eyesight is unlikely, certain practices promote good eye health and slow the progression of certain eye conditions.

  • Eat a nutritious diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Regular eye yoga exercises, palming, blinking exercises etc., can be beneficial for maintaining optimal eye health.
  • Get regular exercise, manage stress levels, maintain a healthy weight, and get enough sleep.
  • Protect eyes from bright lights and UV rays.
  • Regular eye checks by an eye care professional can provide specific recommendations based on your eye health status.

Not all vision loss can be reversed. A few general practices that may help promote overall eye health and potentially slow down the progression of certain conditions are:

  • Healthy diet and lifestyle
  • Eye strengthening exercises
  • Controlling diabetes or hypertension that can contribute to vision loss
  • Regular eye checkups and strict adherence to treatment plans, medicines, using prescribed eyeglasses etc.
  • Yoga for the eyes has tremendous benefits in maintaining eye health.

Recovering eyesight is dependent on the underlying cause of vision loss. A few methods that may improve eyesight are:

  • Determine the cause of vision loss by an ophthalmologist and take appropriate treatment.
  • Adopting healthy lifestyle changes and a nutritious diet.
  • Eye exercises for myopia, eye exercises for strained eyes, eye exercises for blurred vision, eye yoga exercises, vision therapy etc., improve eye coordination, focus and perception.
  • Manage health conditions that affect the vision.

Relaxing eye muscles can be done by:

  • Palming eyes
  • Eye massages
  • Eye relaxation exercises
  • Eye rolling, flexing and blinking exercises
  • Eye yoga exercises
  • Applying a warm compress on closed eyelids.