How Do Eye Exercises Help in Keeping Your Eye Fit?

Have you heard the age-old adage “Practice makes perfect”? And that is why, it is extremely necessary that to achieve something in life, we have to keep on trying until we get it. If you wished that you were ten kilos lighter, you would not just have a fairy mother appear to flick her wand and lighten you up, would you? You will go to no fairy land to lose your weight within a zip, but you will have to go to the Gym.

Exercising is an important system that keeps your body up to the notch of being completely fit and strong. You need to be active, free-spirited, and for that you need your one hour of sweat-job. Similarly, the same goes for everything else as well, even your eyes.

Yes, your eyes need your care and affection too, and even though some say that since they do not strain so much for being lodged in the same old place ever since you cried out at birth, they do not need so much of exercise after all. But that is wrong.

Have you seen little kids running around in the play ground sometimes wearing an eye patch? No, they are not playing the pirates of the seven oceans, but they actually have to wear it because of their eye problem which peculiarly, goes by the name “the lazy eye”. The trouble is exactly that: the eye is too lazy, and so it cannot adjust itself to the objects that are near or far away. The vision co-ordination is way off the mark, and to settle the issue, doctors advise that one eye is kept under eye-patch so that the other gets to practice vision synchronization perfectly.
Your eyes need their daily exercise, and if you do that, they will stay very flexible and fit. Daily movement and contraction of eye muscles will keep refractive visual inaccuracies like nearsightedness and farsightedness at bay.

When there is chronic tension and stress in the eye, the muscles in there elongate contract, and this leads to visual errors. Regular practice prevents the chronic stress to settle in and this keeps the eyes as keen as an owl’s.

•It is highly important to keep your eyes well lubricated since this coat of moisture washes away any harmful particles like dust. For this, make sure that you blink your eyes, or try blinking one eye at a time. Your tear glands are located under your upper eye lids, so they will keep the eye surface clean and wet.

•Also, try some other exercises every day, so that together, they will amount to take only half an hour of your precious time. Try the ‘Palming’ method. Here, make sure that you sit upright, and settle your elbows on high-raised cushions. With your palms cupped over your eyes to exclude light, try to relax and breathe slowly, and imagine blackness. Do not apply pressure on your eyes, and keep doing this for ten minutes for two or three times a day.

•The next process is a little funny, but fun to do! Close your eyes and imagine a circle. Pull it out to an oval shape in your mind, and start drawing an eight round it. You will have to think of your nose as the pencil and so you have to move your nose, head and eyes to form the required figures. This will bring about a good co-ordination among the various parts of your body, involving your eyes.

•Lastly, get an eye chart from your optician, and hang it up on the wall. By and by, when you are working or taking rest, take five minutes to look at the things written on the chart. Concentrate not only on the words, but the entire surrounding space and read out the sentences. Focus on the entire sentence as a whole, and this will allow your eye muscles to rest.

Try out these procedures and you will be able to keep your eyes fit and great. This way, you will not have to bear the cost of buying spectacles, or visiting the eye-doctor at all times, and yet, you eyes will be as good as a young child’s!

Eye Care Tips for Winters

During winters your eyes are at higher risk to get damaged either temporarily or permanently due UV rays. The UV rays are not only emitted by the sun but it is also reflected by the earth surface. You need to protect your eyes from UV radiations. American Academy of Ophthalmology has suggested few eye care tips for winters.

With the arrival of the winter season most of the people don't feel the need to care their eyes. They believe that extensive eye care is needed during the summer season. It's highly essential for you to protect your eyes from the harmful Ultra Violet rays (UV rays).

During winters UV radiations not only come from the sky but also are reflected from the earth surface. UV ray exposure in winters can damage your eyes temporarily as well as can develop eye disorders like cataract. Not only the sun which affects your eyes but the other culprits are dry air and cool breeze.

Here are some Eye Care Tips for winters suggested by The American Academy of Ophthalmology.




* During winters the indoor heaters used tend to dry the air's moisture which can cause irritation and dryness in your eyes. It is advised to use a humidifier in your house during winters. This would be helpful in tolerating the forced air heating and keeping your dry eyes moist.



* Use sunglasses which are capable of blocking 99-100% of UV rays, particularly when the land is snow covered. Remember that sunlight reflected by the snow can lead to sunburned eyes. Overexposed eyes to sun's UV rays during winters can lead to temporary damage like photokeratitis. So it is advisable for you to use high quality of UV-blocking sunglasses.



* If you are using contact lenses then it is advisable for you to use artificial tears often and limit your outdoor exposures. If you are using soft contact lenses then limit your alcohol intake. Remember that soft lenses require lot of moisture and if they tend to dry then can stick and change the shape of your eyes.



* This advice is especially for snow lovers as they spend extensive time in snow. They are at a higher risk to develop temporary eye problems hence they should use a pair of properly fitted ski goggles with polycarbonate lenses.



* To protect the tear film from evaporation it is advised to use hooded jacket and brimmed hat as they will prevent your eyes from cold wind.



* Apply a good quality eye cream around the eyes as it will be helpful in protecting the delicate eye area from the harsh winter.

Herbal And Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Eye Care

The importance of the eyes to the human beings need not be emphasized. Eyes provide us sight, without which life would lose most of its meaning. But at the same time, eyes are constantly exposed to the external environment. Almost everyone in the world overworks their eyes, due to which several eye problems occur. The list of problems that occur with the eyes is almost endless. But even then, are we taking adequate care of our eyes? This article provides some valuable tips on care of the eyes.

Some common eye problems are:- § Cataract § Conjunctivitis § Glaucoma § Myopia § Stye

Let us see how Ayurveda helps in the prevention and treatment of these eye problems.

Useful Herbs for Eye Care

- Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum) Aniseed is especially beneficial in the treatment of cataract. The powder of its seeds is taken in a tablespoon quantity every morning and evening.

- Babul (Acacia arabica) Babul can treat conjunctivitis. A paste of the babul leaves must be applied on the eyes before going to sleep at night. It will lessen the itchiness, wateriness and the redness of the sore eyes.

- Carrot (Daucus carota) Carrot is so beneficial in eye care that its virtues are taught to school students also. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which is the precursor of vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is responsible for strengthening the eyes and protecting them from night blindness.

- Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) A decoction prepared from coriander can be used as an eyewash for people with conjunctivitis. There will be immediate reduction in the burning, redness and swelling of the eyes.

- Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) The Indian gooseberry, known as amalaki, is exceptional in treating ocular problems. It can bring relief in both conjunctivitis and glaucoma. Its juice is taken with honey for better effects.

- Indian Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) The Indian Sorrel has exceptional properties in the treatment of several eye problems. A few drops of the juice of its leaves must be put in the eyes everyday to keep them free from strain. They can also be a good prevention for cataract.

- Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Marigold is taken as a cold infusion for washing eyes that are stressed. This brings a cooling effect to the eyes. It is also effective in cases of conjunctivitis.

- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) The raw juice of parsley is effective for eye care. It can relieve the eyes of problems such as corneal ulcers, cataracts, weak eyes, conjunctivitis, opthalmia and sluggishness of the pupils.

Dietary Tips for Eye Care

Vitamin A is directly responsible for the strength and power of the eyes. Hence, foods that are rich in vitamin A must be taken. Vitamin A is contained in all orange and yellow colored vegetables such as carrots, oranges and pumpkins and in fruits like mangoes, papayas and oranges. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, coriander and colocasia also contain vitamin A. Among non-vegetarian foods, fish, liver and eggs contain vitamin A. Dairy products also have a fair amount of vitamin A in them.

The risk of cataracts is reduced by including vitamin C in the diet. Foods containing vitamin C such as Indian gooseberry, guava, orange, lemon and tomato, capsicum, cabbage, etc. must be included in the diet.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Eye Problems

The triphala lotion is generally prescribed in case of eye problems. Triphala is a mixture of the two myroblans – belleric and chebula – and the Indian gooseberry. The choorna is soaked in water for half an hour to get the lotion. This lotion is used as an eye-wash three or four times in a day. Triphala lotion has potency to treat eye problems such as cataract and conjunctivitis. Washing the eyes regularly with triphala also keeps them moist and healthy.

Chandrodaya vati is another important Ayurvedic preparation used in eye care. It is made into a paste in water and then applied externally over the eyes. Chandrodaya vati is beneficial in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis and cataract.

Home Remedies for Common Eye Problems

- Prepare a mixture of equal proportions of aniseed powder and coriander seed powder. Mix it with an equal weight of unrefined sugar. Take it in doses of 12 grams every morning and evening. It is beneficial for people with cataract.

- For people with weak eyesight, taking a mixture of the juices of raw parsley and carrots in a glassful amount everyday will provide great benefits.

- Mix one part of sugar with three parts of coriander. Grind them into a fine powder and put this mixture in boiling water. Keep it covered for one hour. Then filter it with a clean cloth. Use the filtrate as eye drops. This is an effective treatment for conjunctivitis.

- Immerse almonds in milk and keep them overnight. In the morning, mix this milk with sandalwood. Apply this on the eyelids. This reduces redness of the eyes due to exertion.

- Inhaling the odors of sesame mixed in honey reduces the excessive wateriness of the eyes.

- Take two small pieces of cardamom. Grind them and dissolve the powder in milk. Boil the milk and drink it at night. This makes the eyes healthier.