The Surprisingly Easy Way to Fight Digital Eye Strain
The word "exercise" usually conjures up images of a treadmill or dumbbells, not a comfortable sofa. But there are useful exercises you can do on the couch -- for an important and often overlooked body part: your eyes.
Yes, eye exercise is a thing. As people spend more and more time in front of computers, tablets, smartphones and television screens, they are increasingly exposed to the blue light that these screens emit, leading to computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eyestrain. According to the American Optometric Association, the uncomfortable and disruptive symptoms of CVS include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
Here's the good news: You can reduce and prevent the symptoms of digital eyestrain with a few simple exercises. Even better news: You can do these exercises anywhere (including the couch). Here are our favorites, adapted from Yoga International and Natural Eye Care.
1. Shift Your Focus
First, hold your thumb up about 10 inches away from your eyes. Focus on it for about 10 seconds, or as long as it takes you to take and release a deep breath. Then, pick an object about 10--20 feet in front of you, and focus on that for the same amount of time. Switch back and forth for a minute or two.
Bonus move: Hold your thumb out at arm's length and focus on it for a few seconds. Then, maintaining your gaze, slowly move your thumb toward your face. Once it's too close to focus on, slowly move your thumb back out to arm's length. Repeat this up to 10 times.
2. Roll Your Eyes
Despite what your parents might have told you when you were younger, your eyes won't get stuck if you roll them! In fact, some controlled rolling can increase your flexibility and prevent symptoms of eyestrain.
First, relax your eyes and face and look toward the ceiling in front of you. Then, slowly roll your eyes in a clockwise direction, making a wide circle with your gaze. Do this three times, slowly, and then close your eyes for a moment. Next, open your eyes and do the same movement, this time counterclockwise.
3. Facepalm
We saved the best for last. Rub your hands together to warm them, close your eyes and then gently place your hands over your eyes. The heels of your hands can rest comfortably on your cheeks, while your palms cover your eyes and fingertips rest on your forehead. Take a deep breath, and relax. You can do this for a few seconds or up to five minutes -- however long you need.
Eye exercises aren't the only way to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Eagle Eyes has a proprietary line of glasses developed specifically to block blue light emissions, cut glare and extend your screen time for hours. Equipped with our exclusive DigiTec™ mechanism, these lenses use high-performance "natural light" deposition lens technology to block blue light. Plus, our lenses are coated with a special anti-reflective finish to cut harsh, annoying light and distracting glare.
With an array of frames and styles, Eagle Eyes has your blue light blocking glasses ready and waiting to protect your eyes and maximize your screen time.
Yes, eye exercise is a thing. As people spend more and more time in front of computers, tablets, smartphones and television screens, they are increasingly exposed to the blue light that these screens emit, leading to computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eyestrain. According to the American Optometric Association, the uncomfortable and disruptive symptoms of CVS include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
Here's the good news: You can reduce and prevent the symptoms of digital eyestrain with a few simple exercises. Even better news: You can do these exercises anywhere (including the couch). Here are our favorites, adapted from Yoga International and Natural Eye Care.
1. Shift Your Focus
First, hold your thumb up about 10 inches away from your eyes. Focus on it for about 10 seconds, or as long as it takes you to take and release a deep breath. Then, pick an object about 10--20 feet in front of you, and focus on that for the same amount of time. Switch back and forth for a minute or two.
Bonus move: Hold your thumb out at arm's length and focus on it for a few seconds. Then, maintaining your gaze, slowly move your thumb toward your face. Once it's too close to focus on, slowly move your thumb back out to arm's length. Repeat this up to 10 times.
2. Roll Your Eyes
Despite what your parents might have told you when you were younger, your eyes won't get stuck if you roll them! In fact, some controlled rolling can increase your flexibility and prevent symptoms of eyestrain.
First, relax your eyes and face and look toward the ceiling in front of you. Then, slowly roll your eyes in a clockwise direction, making a wide circle with your gaze. Do this three times, slowly, and then close your eyes for a moment. Next, open your eyes and do the same movement, this time counterclockwise.
3. Facepalm
We saved the best for last. Rub your hands together to warm them, close your eyes and then gently place your hands over your eyes. The heels of your hands can rest comfortably on your cheeks, while your palms cover your eyes and fingertips rest on your forehead. Take a deep breath, and relax. You can do this for a few seconds or up to five minutes -- however long you need.
Eye exercises aren't the only way to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Eagle Eyes has a proprietary line of glasses developed specifically to block blue light emissions, cut glare and extend your screen time for hours. Equipped with our exclusive DigiTec™ mechanism, these lenses use high-performance "natural light" deposition lens technology to block blue light. Plus, our lenses are coated with a special anti-reflective finish to cut harsh, annoying light and distracting glare.
With an array of frames and styles, Eagle Eyes has your blue light blocking glasses ready and waiting to protect your eyes and maximize your screen time.