Can myopia be improved through specific exercises?
July 21, 2022 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Ammelie Niemeyer
Dear ophthalmologist,
My name is Max Voss and I have been suffering from shortsightedness for some time now. I have noticed that my vision has been deteriorating lately and my glasses no longer provide sufficient correction. I am concerned that my shortsightedness could continue to worsen and I am wondering if it is possible to improve my vision through certain exercises.
I work a lot on the computer and spend a lot of time in closed spaces, which may have contributed to my shortsightedness. I have heard that there are special exercises that can help improve vision and reduce shortsightedness. However, I am unsure if these exercises are actually effective and if they are suitable for me.
Could you please tell me more about whether and how shortsightedness can be improved through specific exercises? Are there specific techniques or methods that you can recommend? I would greatly appreciate your assessment and advice on this matter, as my vision is very important to me.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Max Voss
Dear Max Voss,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an ophthalmologist. It is understandable that you are concerned about the deterioration of your nearsightedness and are looking for ways to improve your vision. In regards to your question about whether specific exercises to improve nearsightedness are effective, I would like to provide you with more information on this.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that nearsightedness (myopia) is typically caused by changes in the shape of the eye, particularly by an elongation of the eyeball. This results in the incoming light not being correctly focused on the retina, leading to blurry vision in the distance. Glasses or contact lenses can help correct vision, but they do not treat the underlying cause of nearsightedness.
When it comes to exercises to improve vision, there are various techniques that are often recommended. One of them is the so-called "eye training," where specific exercises are performed to strengthen the eye muscles and improve the flexibility of the eyeball. This includes focusing on near and distant objects, blinking, and eye shifting (quickly moving the eyes from side to side). These exercises are intended to promote blood flow to the eyes and relax the eye muscles.
However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that these exercises can actually permanently improve nearsightedness. Studies show that taking regular breaks from screen work and spending time outdoors can help slow down the progression of nearsightedness, but they cannot completely reverse it.
Therefore, it is important for you to regularly have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist to monitor the progression of your nearsightedness and adjust your vision if necessary. Additionally, certain measures for eye health, such as getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and taking regular breaks from screen work, can help preserve your vision.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me again if needed.
Best regards,
Ammelie Niemeyer.
