If you are reading content on your cellphone, make sure the screen is bright so you do not have to strain your eyes.
For example, if you work all day on a computer, schedule 5 to 10 minute breaks every hour where you go outside for a short walk or chat with a friend so you are not looking at screens. Some studies have shown that spending more time outdoors can help to maintain your eyesight and may also help to prevent nearsightedness. Use scheduled breaks in your day to go outside for a walk or short run.
If you already have prescription eyeglasses, make sure you wear them when advised by your optometrist. This can help to prevent your eyes from getting worse.
Hold your thumb straight out in front of you at arm’s length. Slowly bring it in until it is touching the tip of your nose, focusing on it with your eyes the whole time. Move your thumb away from your nose again, but this time extend your arm out horizontally to the right, still following the movement with your eyes. Return your thumb to your nose and then repeat a few times, each time extending your arm in a different direction (forward, up, down, left, right). You may wish to spend about 3 minutes on this exercise, repeating the routine 3 to 5 times a day.
Eye stretches: Holding your head still and moving only your eyes, first look up as far as you can. Hold for two seconds, then look down as far as you can. Repeat this process, looking left, right, and diagonally in each direction (up and left, down and left, etc. ). Eye flexes: Relax your eyes and look up. Slowly rotate your eyes in a clockwise direction. Keep this going for 1 minute, and then repeat, this time rolling your eyes counter-clockwise. Focus switching: Switch between focusing on an object close up (like text at reading distance), and focusing on something far away (like large text on a sign at least 20 feet away from you). Cover 1 eye, and spend a few second tracing the shape of the near object with your uncovered eye. Then switch to the far object. Cover your other eye, and repeat.
Be aware that brain training exercises may make your eyes feel tired at first. However, after a few sessions, you should start to adjust, and these symptoms will diminish.
You can also use the appointment as an opportunity to talk about any concerns about your eyesight you may be having with the optometrist.
The effectiveness of reading glasses or low prescription contacts for preventing nearsightedness is still up for debate. Some optometrists argue that this option will not improve your eyesight or reduce your chances of becoming nearsighted.
Try to have regular check ups with the optometrist every six to eight months to maintain your eyesight. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
