Eye Fitness
The medical benefit to exercising your eyes is widely contested, which is why you may not have heard or read much about the subject, and yet you may be well aware or even own the popular game 'Sight Training' on the Nintendo DS. They do however benefit people where there is a known muscle imbalance, but unless prescribed by your Optician, our advice is therefore to treat eye exercises as a bit of fun that can give you a welcome break from your busy lifestyle. This is why we have created this fun section. It is important however not to neglect your eye health by missing regular visits to your Optician.
Why not try these eye exercises that are quick, easy to do and can be part of your morning routine, just like cleaning your teeth or washing your hands. If you feel any negative effects from any of the exercises listed here, consult your local Vision Express opticians for a full eye check or book online.
Eye Tennis
Any form of exercise is best eased into gently. Keeping your head still, look as far to the left as you can, then swing your eyes as far as they can go to the right. Repeat ten times. Now do the same on the vertical, looking up and down as far as you can while keeping your head still. Repeat ten times.
Now shake it off with some circular movements. Imagine you're looking at the face of a giant clock. Keeping your head straight, start at twelve and trace your eyes over each number in a clockwise direction. Rest for a few seconds, and then go back in an anti-clockwise direction. Repeat five times.
Okay, you're ready for Cross Eyes.
Cross Eyes
This is kids stuff - literally! Keeping your head still, go cross-eyed by trying to focus on the bridge of your nose. Repeat three times, taking care not to strain your eyes.
Rest in between each set by shutting your eyes and - not using your fingers - squeezing your eyelids together as tightly together as you can. Hold for a few seconds, and then open wide.
Go through the entire sequence another time, then move on to the Slalom.
The Slalom
With one eye closed, pick a spot at the top left of your field of vision. Keeping your head straight, trace a series of diagonals back and forth until you reach the bottom right hand side of your field of vision.
Now close that eye, open your other and repeat. Open both eyes and do it again. Finish off by looking at a point in the centre of your vision, then spiral slowly out to the periphery. Now reverse the movement back to the centre.
Good work - you're done!
