According to medical research, the most common causes of visual impairment are functional disorders, which in most cases can be overcome with simple and natural treatments without surgery, glasses or contact lenses.
This article discusses the most effective ways to restore vision that have been proven to treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and other vision disorders. The effectiveness and speed of treatment directly depends on the complexity of the violation, its duration and the implementation of regulations.
Neglect of advice and recommendations, eye strain from excessive work, physical and mental stress, improper diet can significantly slow down the progress of treatment, and in some cases completely stop it. To prevent this from happening, you should carefully follow all the instructions throughout the course of treatment, as well as after its completion.
Causes of visual impairment
According to the research of Dr. Bates, the leading cause of visual impairment is mental and physical overstrain leading to accommodation disorders - the ability to see distant and near objects equally clearly.
Contrary to the prevailing stereotype, the focusing of vision occurs not only due to a change in the curvature of the lens, but also due to a change in the shape of the eye itself, due to the action of the external muscles of the eyeball, which are responsible for moving the eyes in all directions.
Certain groups of eye muscles contract, causing the back of the eye to get closer or farther away depending on whether you're focusing on a far or near object. Many visual impairments are nothing other than the result of an accommodation disorder due to a malfunction of the extraocular muscles.
With nearsightedness (myopia), the eye has a constantly elongated shape, which does not allow focusing on distant objects, and with farsightedness (hypermetropia), on the contrary, the eyeball has a compressed shape, which does not allow you to clearly see close objects.
Vision correction with the help of lenses aggravates the situation even more, as it fixes the muscles in one position and violates natural accommodation. This increases muscle tension and the disease progresses.
Glasses and contact lenses are thus the main cause of the progressive deterioration in vision that they are designed to combat.
Exercises to restore vision
Using special techniques to relieve tension in the eye muscles, combined with diet and general improvement of the body's health, one can significantly improve vision and, in some cases, completely overcome many visual defects, including myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
In order to achieve the maximum result, it is necessary to be aware of the treatment and carefully follow all the instructions. The main task is to learn how to release tension and achieve the desired relaxation of the eye muscles. Deep relaxation and relaxation is the key to successful vision restoration.
Gymnastics for the eyes
Eye gymnastics is an essential step in improving vision. The main task of eye exercises is to relieve the eye muscles of tension and bring them into tone. This will greatly speed up the treatment process and return to normal vision.
Eye gymnastics for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism consists of four basic exercises that must be carried out in the most relaxed state. This is best done while sitting on a chair or sofa.
- Exercise 1. Move your eyes up and down 6 times in each direction as gently as possible and with minimal effort. The movements should be as slow and smooth as possible. As you relax, the range of eye movements will increase. Keep it as relaxed and relaxed as possible. Repeat the exercise 2-3 times, resting 1-2 seconds between repetitions.
- exercise 2. Gently move your eyes from side to side 6 times in each direction. No voltage. The main task is to relax overstrained muscles, and not to increase tension, so eye movement requires a minimum of effort. Repeat the exercise 2-3 times with a 1-2 second interval between sets. As you relax, increase amplitude while maintaining relaxation and ease.
- Exercise #3. Bring your index finger about 20 cm from your eyes, focus on it, and then look at a large object 3 meters or more away. Then look back at your finger and then refocus on a distant object. Move your eyes back and forth 10 times at a fairly fast pace. Repeat the exercise 2-3 times with an interval of 1-2 seconds. This is one of the best accommodation exercises to do as often as possible.
- Exercise #4. Move your eyes in circles as gently and slowly as possible, first one way and then the other. Repeat the exercise 2-3 times for 4 circles in each direction with a 1-2 second interval between cycles while exerting minimal effort.
Before each exercise, you need to relax your eyes by covering them with your palms for a few seconds. If you wear glasses, you should take them off during exercise. If your eyes hurt during the process, stop the exercise and rest. Wash your face with cold water and do palming.
Wellness exercises for the neck
Neck gymnastics is an essential step in restoring vision. Overexertion of the neck muscles affects the nerves and leads to circulatory disorders. For the success of the treatment, it is therefore absolutely necessary to exclude diseases of the spine and to achieve complete relaxation of the neck muscles.
- Exercise 1. Assume a freestanding position, arms relaxed and lowered. Raise your shoulders as high as you can, then pull them back as far as you can, then lower them and return to the starting position. Repeat 25 times, making fairly quick circular movements with your shoulders.
- exercise 2. Perform circular movements in the same way, only in the opposite direction. Pull your shoulders back, then raise them as high as you can, lower them and return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise continuously 25 times.
- Exercise #3. Lower your chin to your chest as low as possible, relax your neck as much as possible, then gently raise your head and tilt it back as far as possible. Don't try during the process. Repeat the exercise 12 times.
- Exercise #4. Gently lower your chin to your chest, then rotate your head to the left, tilt back, rotate to the right, and return to the starting position. All movements should be slow, even and with the greatest possible amplitude, but without tension.
- Exercise #5. Slowly turn your head to the right, return to the starting position, and then turn your head to the left. Twists should be slow, without tension, and with maximum amplitude. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Regular exercise helps relax the muscles of the neck and upper back, improves the flow of blood and nerve energy to the head, normalizes high and low blood pressure, and also has a beneficial effect on vision and general well-being. Neck exercises are best done in the morning or in the morning and in the evening and, if necessary, also spread throughout the day.
Exercises to relieve the eyes
To successfully improve vision, the eyes must be given a full, consciously provided rest period of 30 to 60 minutes each day to relax all the muscles and tissues around the eyes. There are special exercises for this:
Covering your eyes with your palms (palming) is one of the simplest and most effective vision correction exercises that can be done almost anywhere, anytime. The technique for performing the exercise is as follows:
- Sit in a comfortable position on a chair, armchair or sofa to feel free and comfortable. Relax as much as possible.
- Close your eyes and cover them with your palms so that the middle of your right and left palm faces your right and left eye, respectively, and your fingers are crossed on your forehead. Eliminate any pressure on the eyes.
- Get into a comfortable position with your elbows resting on your knees or on a table. Eyes should remain closed and palms covered.
- Relax as much as possible, do not keep your thoughts on anything important or serious, think of the good and positive. Try to see as much black as possible. The more black in front of your eyes, the more relaxation and calm you will experience.
Schematically it will look like this:
To achieve a good effect, it is necessary to cover the eyes with the palms of the hands for at least 10-20 minutes at least 2-3 times a day. It is also recommended to do the exercises in between when the eyes are tired.
The side swing is a very effective exercise to relieve eye tension and relax. To perform it, stand up straight, feet shoulder-width apart, arms lowered along your body. Keeping yourself relaxed and relaxed, begin to sway slightly from side to side.
In the course of movement you can imagine yourself as a pendulum and also move measured and slowly. The torso should remain straight and the legs should not bend. If necessary, you can slightly raise the heel without taking your feet off the ground.
It is best to do the swing while standing by the window. At the same time, the eyes should be relaxed and without tension look at the objects in front of the window that "swing" with you. After a minute, close your eyes and imagine the "movement" of the window as accurately as possible. After a minute, open your eyes and keep moving, then repeat the exercise again.
Swinging should be done at least three times a day for 5-10 minutes. When done correctly, it effectively relieves stress on the eyes and also has a very beneficial effect on the condition of the eyes and the entire nervous system. It goes without saying that glasses or contact lens wearers must be removed before this exercise.
Blinking is a very simple and effective exercise to relieve eye strain. Unfortunately, the natural process of blinking is disturbed in many people with visual impairments: They blink less often, their eyes become less mobile and the blinking process itself is spasmodic, tense and not regular.
In order to improve vision and the condition of the eyes in general, it is necessary to develop the habit of blinking frequently, regularly and in a relaxed manner, thus preventing tension. It is recommended to blink at least 1-2 times every 10 seconds without effort, regardless of the situation.
Sunlight is very important in the treatment of visual impairment and should be used to the maximum by all patients. However, it is worth using it with caution so as not to injure yourself. To do this, follow the main rule: never look at the sun with an unprotected eye, so as not to damage the retina.
There are many ways to restore vision with sunlight. The easiest and most effective way is to face the sun, close your eyes and slowly turn your head from side to side so that the rays evenly fall on your eyes. It is recommended to do this exercise 2-3 times a day for 10 minutes. Mornings and evenings are best for safety reasons.
You can also rock from side to side while facing the sun. Of course with my eyes closed. Such sunbathing improves blood circulation in the eyes, relaxes muscles and nerves.
In addition, the following exercise is very beneficial for improving vision:
- Cross the four folded fingers of one hand and place them perpendicular to the other four.
- Place your palms over your eyes so that one palm covers one eye and the other forms a point where a thin ray of sunlight enters the other eye.
- Pass a small ray of light through your fingers and look at it. Adjust the thickness of the beam so that viewing the sunlight is comfortable and doesn't cause discomfort.
- After 1-2 minutes, switch hands to look at the sun with the other eye.
Watching the sun through the hole between your fingers is very careful! Failure to observe the safety precautions can damage the retina of the eye!
Cold water is an effective way to quickly relieve tension and improve the tone of the eyes and the muscles and tissues around them. To do this, close your eyes when washing and do not splash too much water into them. Repeat the process 10-20 times, then gently wipe your closed eyes with a towel.
Repeat the process every time your eyes are tired, but at least 3 times a day. At the same time, keep in mind that the water should be cold, not cool.
Training memory and imagination is an important step to good vision. This is easy to verify - we recognize known objects much more quickly than unfamiliar ones, since memory and imagination come to our aid. Therefore, in order for vision restoration to be successful, they must be developed.
To train your memory and imagination, you can use the following exercise. Carefully consider each small object, its size and shape. Then close your eyes and try to remember everything exactly. Repeat the exercise.
The above exercise should be done for 5 minutes or more, of course without glasses or contact lenses. Words or letters from books can also be used as objects. Regular exercise contributes to a significant improvement in vision over time.
Central fixation is a basic exercise that allows you to see better the objects you are focusing your attention on. Unfortunately, people with visual impairments are often denied this opportunity. Because of the constant overexertion, they see better with peripheral vision than with central vision.
Use the following exercise to restore central vision. Open the book and focus your attention on one line. Next, highlight the word in the middle of the line and focus on it. After that, close your eyes and imagine seeing that word as clearly and distinctly as possible, and imagine all the surrounding words as blurry as possible.
Open your eyes again and repeat the exercise. Perform central fixation for 5 minutes, each time imagining the central word more clearly and all the surrounding words as blurry as you like.
As your vision improves, continue with shorter words until you can do the two-letter word exercise, concentrating on one letter. The second letter will be blurred. In this case, we can assume that central fixation is almost achieved.
Reading – Contrary to common stereotypes and misconceptions, reading is one of the best ways to exercise your eyes and keep them active and healthy. Of course, this only applies to cases in which reading is carried out without tension. Otherwise, the poor eyesight will only get worse.
To improve eyesight it is necessary to read without effort. To do this, take a comfortable seated position, cover your eyes with your hands and relax as much as possible. After a few minutes, pick up the book and start reading, holding it at the most comfortable reading distance and remembering to blink while reading. As soon as the first signs of fatigue appear, give your eyes a break. Close them for a few seconds, covering your eyes with your palms (palming) if necessary.
As your vision improves, gradually change the distance from the book. In the case of short-sightedness, the distance must be increased, in the case of long-sightedness, it must be reduced. If you are very nearsighted at the moment, you can read with one eye and give preference to the eye with the poorest vision. As eyesight improves, it will be possible to read with both eyes.
The reading time can initially only be a few minutes. However, you should not despair. Over time, by mastering the skills of relaxation and relaxation, you will be able to read longer without strain or tension.
Proper nutrition and nutrition to improve vision
Poor diet is a common cause of visual impairment in old age. In many cases, diet alone can significantly improve vision and, in combination with special exercises, completely restore it.
It is impossible to create a universal diet that suits everyone, so the following general recommendations for proper nutrition are:
- Eat only natural foods.
- Eat more vegetables, fruits and vegetables (depending on the season).
- Cook food as little as possible and only when necessary.
- Artificial and concentrated foods, semi-finished products and canned goods are excluded.
- Minimize, or better yet, eliminate fried, smoked, fatty, sweet, and salty foods.
- Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks.
- Minimize the consumption of tea, coffee and sugary drinks.
- Eat animal products such as meat in moderation.
- Start your morning with a light breakfast. Fruit and milk are best for this.
- Eat small meals, but often. Optimally up to 5-6 times a day.
- Each meal should contain fiber-rich foods (see point 2).
- Eat dinner no later than 2 hours before bedtime.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that it is necessary to minimize the consumption of everything that is so diligently promoted with the help of the media, and it is better to completely abandon consumption. Food should be treated as a necessity, not as a means to satisfy our tastes and whims. By changing your relationship with food, you change your health.