Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
.

(336) 644-0802

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Insurance and Payments
  • About Us
    • Meet the Doctor
    • Meet the Staff
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye and Vision Exams
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision Treatment
    • Sports Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Brands We Stock
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Appointment Request
  • Community Content
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • Tips to Relax Your Eyes

Tips to Relax Your Eyes

  • Created in Newsletters

Woman with tired eyes

Relax Your Eyes with These Soothing Exercises

Do your eyes hurt when you spend too much time reading, playing digital games, or working on your computer? Headaches, blurry vision, and neck pain can be signs of eyestrain, as can light sensitivity, trouble concentrating, burning, sore, or itchy eyes. Fortunately, preventing uncomfortable eyestrain symptoms can be as simple as trying a few of these exercises.

The Clock Exercise

The clock exercise relieves strain on overworked eye muscles and can help you avoid headaches, eye pain, and other eyestrain symptoms. Start the exercising by imagining a large analog clock a few feet in front of you. Keep your head still and move your eyes to nine, then to three.

Keep moving your eyes to the opposite pairs on the clock - ten and four, twelve and six, etc. Hold your gaze for a second or two on each number before moving on to the next one.

Figure Eight Tracing

Picture an eight on its side. Use your eyes to trace the figure without moving your head and neck. After performing five cycles in the same direction, reverse direction, and try the exercise five more times. This exercise will also keep your eye muscles loose and flexible.

Focus Changes

Hold a pen about a foot away from your nose. Focus on the pen for a few seconds, then switch your focus to an object in the distance for a few seconds. Perform the exercise five or ten times.

If your vision tends to become blurry when you look at close objects, add a few extra steps to this exercise. Extend the arm holding the pen as far as you can, then slowly move the pen toward your face. Stop when you can no longer see the pen clearly or you see more than one pen. Return to the starting position and start again. If you perform this exercise regularly, you may discover that your ability to focus on near objects improves.

Palming

Close your eyes and place your palms against your eyes. Apply gentle pressure for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Palming helps tight eye muscles relax and may also improve eye lubrication.

Exercises Offer an Effective Way to Relax Your Eyes

Eye exercises improved eye fatigue in a group of nursing students in a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science. The 40 students were divided into two groups. The first group performed yogic eye exercises two days a week for eight weeks while the second group did not. The exercises included palming, blinking, sideways viewing, rotational viewing, and near and distant viewing.

At the end of the eight weeks, the exercise group noticed a significant decrease in eye fatigue compared to the control group.

Other Things You Can Do to Improve Eye Comfort

Do you follow the 20-20-20 rule when you view digital screens? The rule helps you avoid dry eye and eyestrain by giving your eyes frequent breaks. After working or playing for 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet in the distance for 20 seconds.

Viewing screens for hours tends to dry out the eyes. The problem is related to a decrease in blinking when looking at digital screens. If your eyes tend to feel dry when you're texting or watching videos online, remind yourself to blink more often. If your eyes continue to bother you, use over-the-counter lubricating drops to improve your comfort.

The American Optometric Association recommends placing computer monitors 20 to 28 inches from your eyes and 4 to 5 inches below eye level for optimum eye comfort. Glare filters can reduce the amount of glare produced by digital devices and improve your viewing experience.

If dry eyes, headaches, and other eyestrain symptoms continue, you may benefit from wearing computer glasses. The prescription glasses reduce glare, block blue light, and provide the optimum focusing power for viewing your screen.

Are your eyes painful, dry, or uncomfortable? Has your vision become a little blurry lately? It may be time to pay a visit to the optometrist. Call our office to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

Healthline: Eye Exercises: How-to, Efficacy, Eye Health, and More

Journal of Physical Therapy Science: Effects of Yogic Eye Exercise on Eye Fatigue in Undergraduate Nursing Students, 6/16

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye Strain: How to Prevent Tired Eyes, 2/26/20

Yoga Journal: The Benefits of Yoga for the Eyes

American Optometric Association: Most Americans Experience Digital Eyestrain from Overexposure to Computers According to Survey, 10/23/16

  • Eyeglasses
  • Basic Visual Skills
  • All About Eyes
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Vision Issues
  • Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Vision Impairment
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
  • Vision Problems
  • Eye Symptoms
  • Eye Diseases
  • A Child's Vision
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you

  • Contact Us

    Call or send us an email today! Our staff will respond as soon as possible.

    Contact
  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.

    Learn More
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!

    Schedule Now

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

1:30 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-1:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • "I recently received a corneal abrasion and Dr. Sarah Barts has gone above and beyond to help relieve my pain and discomfort. I can't thank her enough other than to give her the word that she is an excellent eye doctor, and I will never see another. If you are in the Summerfield area looking for a new eye specialist I HIGHLY recommend this office. The staff is always super friendly, and always willing to answer any questions you have. I can honestly say, as long I live in the Triad Area I will not stray from them"
    Dacia Waters
  • "I visited Summerfield Family Eye Care on 2/25 for an 11am appointment. The staff was friendly and I received answers to questions quickly. Not only did I receive an appointment a lot more quickly than other locations, but the overall time in office was phenomenal (Waiting room time quick, and seen the OD almost instantly). I'd recommend to family and friends for sure."
    Adam Hicks
  • "They are wonderful. Both me and my almost 4 year old are patients and they make her feel so comfortable and at ease, which isn't always easy. Would highly highly recommend."
    Miranda Peascoe

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

    How Your Tears Work and Their Importance for Vision

    Do you know how your tears help keep your eyes healthy? ...

    Read More

    Good Eye Health Is Essential for Athletes

    Do you know how eye health affects your sports ability? ...

    Read More

    Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration can affect your vision? ...

    Read More

    How to Keep Your Eyes Safe From Germs

    Want to avoid colds and other viruses? Taking a few steps to protect your eyes can help. ...

    Read More

    How Sleep Can Affect Your Vision

    Do you have trouble sleeping? Sleep problems may increase your risk of eye diseases and conditions. ...

    Read More

    The Effects of Smoking on Your Eye Health

    Do you know how smoking can harm your eyes? ...

    Read More

    Getting Your Child Accustomed to New Glasses

    Is your child struggling to adjust to new glasses? Try a few of these tips. ...

    Read More

    Daily Habits That May Be Harming Your Eye Health

    Could any of these habits be hurting your eyes? ...

    Read More

    Cold Weather and Your Eyes

    Are your eyes dry and uncomfortable? The cold weather may be to blame. ...

    Read More

    The Challenges of Night Driving and Your Vision

    Do you dread driving at night? Trying a few of these tips may make night driving less stressful. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map