Summary: Astigmatism exercises offer simple daily techniques that relax eye muscles, improve focus, and ease strain. While they don’t replace medical treatment, these routines help support better visual comfort and healthier eye habits.
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Key Takeaways:
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Astigmatism is a common eye disorder that affects your vision. The muscles around your eyes are affected which causes undue stress on the cornea which causes the cornea to lose its shape, which in turn causes blurry vision. Some of the other symptoms of astigmatism include double vision, eyestrain, eye irritation, and headaches. It can be prevalent at birth or could be a result of trauma, congenital conditions or eye surgery. It can be very annoying as it makes a simple task like reading a book complicated.
However, there are several natural ways to treat astigmatism and one of them is eye exercises. Benefits of eye exercises for Astigmatism It’s true that there are eye exercises to treat astigmatism. Just like the other muscles in our body, our eye muscles also work on a simple logic of keeping them in use them or else you lose them. Therefore, it is important that you keep your eye muscles active throughout the day. Other than by staring straight at the computer screen or at the road ahead while driving doesn’t exercise the muscles to their full potential, additional eye exercises are must. Here are some benefits of eye exercises:
- Help to reduce the stress.
- Strengthen the eyes and relaxes the eye muscles.
- Improve vision over time or in between 1 to 4 weeks.
6 Eye Exercises to Treat Astigmatism
1. Eye Massage This exercise restores the shape of the cornea
- Close your eyes and keep your two fingers on each of your eyelids.
- By applying gentle pressure, slowly move your fingers in a circular motion from top to bottom and right to left.
- Move your fingers clockwise as well as anti-clockwise and repeat it for 10–15 times, 2 to 4 times a day.
2. Reading It helps to release the strain and pressure caused by astigmatism.
- Pull out a book.
- Place an object on the side. Focus on the side object after reading a paragraph from the book.
- It is advised to continue this until your eyes start to feel tired, 2-4 times a day.
3. Vision Breaks It relieves eye pressure and strain.
- Take a short break from writing, reading, or staring at the computer.
- Focus for 20 seconds on other objects that are kept in the distance
- Repeat the exercise as many times as possible in a day.
4. Head Tilting It helps the extraocular muscles to regulate the force they exert on the eyeball.
- After looking in the mirror, find out if you tilt your head to one side.
- Spend time every day to tilt your head in the opposite direction.
5. Eye Yoga It strengthens eye muscles, sharpens focus and improves vision.
- Stand, sit in the chair or on the floor and keep your posture straight.
- Close your eyes and breathe while concentrating.
- Slowly and start moving your eyeballs from side to side.
- Do this exercise several times a day.
6. Rectus muscle relaxation: It relaxes the rectus muscles and can be done in the following steps
- Place your thumb just above the nose, move it clockwise and leave it there for 2-3 seconds.
- Move your thumb back to the original position. Now, move it to 1 o’clock position, then to 3,5, so on and back to 12. You can do this exercise 2-4 times per day.
- Don’t forget to breathe while you are moving the thumb from the center out and slowly exhale to relax your muscles.
Daily performing these exercises will reduce the symptoms and eventually treat astigmatism. But make sure to consult your eye doctor to find out if these exercises will work for you.
Lifestyle Habits That Improve the Effect of Astigmatism Exercises
While eye exercises play an important role in easing astigmatism-related discomfort, their effectiveness improves significantly when combined with healthy daily habits. Limiting continuous screen time, maintaining proper posture while reading or working, and ensuring adequate lighting reduce unnecessary strain on the eyes. Conscious blinking during screen use helps maintain natural eye lubrication and prevents dryness, which often worsens visual discomfort.
Good sleep is equally important, as tired eye muscles struggle to focus properly. A balanced diet rich in vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and antioxidants supports overall eye health and muscle function. Staying hydrated throughout the day also helps maintain smooth eye movement and comfort. When practiced consistently alongside eye exercises, these habits create a supportive routine that helps manage astigmatism symptoms more effectively and keeps your eyes relaxed during daily visual tasks.
FAQs
Can eye exercises cure astigmatism?
No. Eye exercises do not change the shape of the cornea, which is the primary cause of astigmatism. However, they can help relax eye muscles, reduce strain, and improve overall visual comfort during daily activities.
How often should I do astigmatism eye exercises?
Most astigmatism eye exercises can be done 2 to 4 times a day for a few minutes each session. Consistent daily practice is more effective than doing them occasionally.
How soon can I see results from eye exercises?
Some people notice reduced eye strain, better focus, and less discomfort within 1 to 4 weeks of regular practice. Results may vary depending on screen time, lifestyle habits, and severity of symptoms.
Do eye exercises help with headaches and eye strain?
Yes. Regular eye exercises help release muscle tension, improve blood circulation around the eyes, and reduce headaches or discomfort caused by prolonged reading or screen use.
Are eye exercises safe for everyone with astigmatism?
Eye exercises are generally safe for most people. However, those with severe astigmatism, recent eye surgery, or other eye conditions should consult an eye doctor before starting any exercise routine.
