Blinking exercises are preplanned and include making a conscious effort to blink your eyes. They could help with dry eye condition.
Dry eye is a frequent ailment in which your eyes do not produce enough tears to keep them healthy and functional. This is caused by either a lack of tear production ("deficient" dry eye) or an issue within your eye that causes tears to dry up too quickly ("evaporative" dry eye).
Without natural tear production, you do not blink as frequently as you should. When you do not have enough tears, your eyes can become injured.
This is where blinking exercises can help. While drugs or other treatments may still be required for dry eye, some research suggests that blinking exercises may help to alleviate symptoms.
Eye Yoga: A Guide to Relaxation and Improvement
Eye yoga is a series of exercises designed to relax, strengthen, and improve the health of your eyes. These exercises are particularly beneficial for those who spend long hours staring at screens or doing close work.
Basic Eye Yoga Exercises
Palming:
- Rub your hands together to warm them.
- Place your warm palms over your closed eyes.
- Relax and breathe deeply for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Eye Rolling:
- Close your eyes and gently roll them in a clockwise direction for 10-15 times.
- Repeat in a counterclockwise direction.
Near and Far Focusing:
- Hold your finger about 6 inches from your face.
- Focus on your finger, then look into the distance.
- Repeat 10-15 times.
Side-to-Side Eye Movements:
- Keep your head still and move your eyes from left to right and back 10-15 times.
- Repeat up and down.
Additional Tip:
Blink regularly: This helps to keep your eyes moist.
Take breaks: If you're working on a computer or reading for extended periods, take short breaks to rest your eyes.
Maintain a healthy diet: A diet rich in antioxidants can help protect your eye health.
Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health, including eye health.
Note: If you experience any discomfort or worsening eye problems, consult an eye doctor.
How does blindness affect dry eye?
Another technique known as "blind working" may be used instead of blinking exercises for dry eyes. The goal of this strategy is to completely rest your eyes by closing them when you don't need to see (other than sleeping at night).
Blind working may be especially beneficial if you spend a lot of time looking at a screen during the day. A Source indicates a link between increasing screen usage and dry eye, with the authors also discovering that blinking exercises and relaxing your eyes can be beneficial.
Unlike blinking exercises, blind working involves resting your eyes. Try to set aside a few minutes each day to completely close your eyes.
Alternatively, you can set a timer for every 20 minutes of screen use and look away for 20 seconds at a distant object.
Blind working also allows your eyes to renew with much-needed tear film. This may also provide comfort if you are exposed to environmental variables that exacerbate dry eye, such as low humidity.
When to Contact a Doctor
Despite the potential benefits of blinking exercises for dry eye, it is still advisable to consult an eye doctor for a thorough examination. If you encounter any discomfort during blinking, consult your doctor right away for an assessment.
If your dry eye problems are getting worse, you should see an eye doctor. The following can be modest to severe:
- Symptoms may include sensitivity to light, increased tear or mucus production, and odd twitching or blinking.
- Chronic eye redness and discomfort
- Hazy vision, which may be especially noticeable when reading or at night.
- Chronic stinging or burning feelings.
- Emotions of grittiness, as if something is always trapped in your eye
- Increased susceptibility to irritants like wind.
Summary
Eye yoga exercises strengthen and develop eye muscles to improve overall eye health. Some people who practice eye yoga believe it helps improve vision, alleviate dry eye problems, and reduce eye strain.
These exercises can help induce relaxation. There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that eye yoga may correct eyesight or treat eye issues such as dry eyes.
Many people find eye yoga therapeutic and calming. Incorporating yoga movements into an eye care regimen that includes regular eye exams, a healthy diet, and proper eye hygiene may help to maintain healthy eyes and lower the risk of eye issues.
