Relieve Eye Strain
By Dr. Rev. Isabel Sharkar, NMD | Published Jan 2021
Relieve Eye Strain by Strengthening the Extraocular Muscles
With the pandemic, screen time has drastically increased and so has eye strain. When it comes to our beautiful eyes, it's important we protect them. The eyes are supported by bands of muscles (the extraocular muscles) that control their movement. Exercising these muscles has significant health benefits, including improved circulation, which reduces inflammation. Additionally, exercising the eyes may minimize eye fatigue or strain caused by vision overuse patterns such as digital eye strain or frequent night driving.
BELOW ARE EYE EXERCISES FOR GENERAL EYE HEALTH:
Figure 8 Eye Exercise. You may have practiced this exercise, sometimes called "yoga eyes," if you've ever taken a yoga class and it's great for eye strain. This exercise should be done from a seated position, such as at your desk, while relaxing in your favorite chair, or while in an easy, seated yoga pose.
- Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
- Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
- Keep tracing for 30-seconds, then switch directions.
Focusing Exercises. Alternate between looking at very distant and very close objects. For example, when seated or standing at home or at the office, alternate between looking at your nose and looking at a farther away building or tree. Repeat several times. Alternate between looking right and left.The more time spent in front of digital devices, the greater the strain on your eyes and your mind. To reduce these effects, during screen-time, use a blue-light and glare filter over your computer screen or use glasses designed to minimize the effect of screen glare on the eyes. Also, simply closing your eyes for a few moments can give those fatigued ocular orbits a much needed reprieve from visual stimuli and processing.REFERENCES
- AAPOS.org. "Definition of Optometric Vision Therapy." Accessed 14 Nov 2020.
- Neuroscience, 2nd edition. "The Actions and Innervation of Extraocular Muscles." Accessed 14 Nov 2020
- HealthLine.com. "Eye Exercises: How-to, Efficacy, Eye Health, and More." Accessed 14 Nov 2020
- YogaInternational.com. "4 Exercises for Eye Strain."
Medical Disclaimer
This content is provided by Indigo Integrative Health Clinic for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Individual health conditions vary — information presented here may not apply to your specific situation. Always consult a qualified, licensed healthcare provider before making decisions about your health, medications, supplements, or treatment plan.
Continue reading
From Supplements to IV Therapy: Knowing When to Add the Next Layer
Discover when to transition from supplements to IV therapy. This guide explains how IV nutrient infusions can support absorption, energy, immune balance, and inflammation when oral strategies plateau.
Health & Well-Being
Why Women in Their 30s–50s Often Don’t Bounce Back: What that Means for Hormones, Metabolism & Sustainable Energy
You're doing everything right — and still not bouncing back. For women in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s, this isn't a motivation problem. It's a physiological one. Discover why sustained demand quietly reshapes hormone signaling, metabolism, and energy production — and what it actually takes to restore balance when conventional strategies stop working.
Health & Well-Being
Seasonal Allergies and Immune System Resilience
Allergy season doesn't have to derail your focus, energy, and momentum. For high-performing women, seasonal symptoms are rarely just about pollen — they're a window into how your immune system is functioning under pressure. Learn why suppressing the response isn't the answer, and what building real immune resilience actually looks like.
Health & Well-Being