NEW DELHI : There was a time when tired eyes meant a long day of reading, sewing or paperwork. Today, the culprit often glows from our palms. Phones, laptops and tablets have quietly turned eye strain into an everyday complaint. The answer, however, need not always be complicated.
Dr Kaushik, MD & Head of Chennai Region, Vasan Eye Care & ASG Eye Hospital, said, “In today’s hyperconnected digital world, no part of our lives is untouched by technology. From checking phones for mails, to doing exercises online to working and relaxing on digital devices, our eyes are under tremendous pressure all the time.”
He explained that eye exercises can be one way to ease this stress. “They cannot cure common vision problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism, but when paired with sensible screen habits, they may support eye wellness,” explained Dr Kaushik and shared a few benefits of eye-exercises:
Staring at a screen keeps the focusing muscles working for long stretches. The old-fashioned 20-20-20 rule remains remarkably useful: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It is hardly revolutionary, but sometimes the simplest advice survives for a reason.
Improves focusing flexibility
Our eyes constantly jump between a nearby phone and something across the room. Simple near-and-far focusing exercises encourage the eyes to adjust between distances. This can be particularly useful for people who read, drive or work at a computer for hours.
Supports eye coordination
Good vision is not merely about two sharp images. Both eyes must work together. Convergence exercises, including pencil push-ups used in vision therapy, can help train the muscles responsible for alignment and support binocular vision, depth perception and visual efficiency.
May ease dry-eye discomfort
Most screen users forget blinking. Screen concentration reduces spontaneous blinking, allowing tears to evaporate faster. Conscious blinking and palming can encourage better tear distribution across the eye’s surface. They are not replacements for doctor-recommended artificial tears, but they can support comfort.
Helps relax tired eye muscles
Slowly looking up, down, left and right, followed by gentle circular movements, can engage different eye muscles and reduce that stiff, overworked feeling. These exercises are not magic,and they have not been proven to improve eyesight, but they can make tired eyes feel more comfortable.
