For seniors, maintaining good eye health can improve their quality of life by helping them stay active, read comfortably, and even recognize loved ones more easily. Common eye issues that seniors face include eye strain, dry eyes, and weakened eye muscles. Senior Helpers Asheville will provide simple and effective eye exercises to help maintain eye health and reduce these common problems.
Benefits of Eye Exercises
Eye exercises have multiple benefits that can positively impact the daily lives of seniors. Regular eye exercises can help keep your eye muscles strong, enhance overall eye functionality, and make everyday activities like reading and watching TV easier.
With age, our ability to shift focus—from near to far objects—can diminish. Exercises that improve focus can help keep your vision sharp. Prolonged activities such as watching TV or reading can strain your eyes. Doing eye exercises can help reduce this strain and prevent fatigue.
Eye exercises can also help relieve dry eyes. Dry eyes are often a result of decreased tear production, which can be relieved naturally through specific exercises.
Eye Exercises to Strengthen Eye Muscles
Eye rolling is an easy exercise that can strengthen your eye muscles and improve eye movement. To perform eye rolling, sit or stand comfortably, roll your eyes in a circular motion, moving clockwise. Complete 5 rolls, then switch to counterclockwise and do 5 more rolls.
Focus shifting helps to enhance your eyes' flexibility and strength. To do this exercise, hold your thumb about 10 inches away from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds. Then, shift your focus to an object at least 20 feet away for another 15 seconds. Repeat this exercise 5 times.
Near and Far Focus
This exercise helps to maintain and improve your ability to shift focus between near and distant objects. To do ths exercise, hold an object (like a pen) 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds. Shift your focus to something far away, like a tree outside the window, for another 15 seconds and repeat 5 times.
The 20-20-20 rule is a simple way to reduce eye strain caused by prolonged screen time. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. Set a timer to remind yourself every 20 minutes. Find an object or spot about 20 feet away and focus on it for 20 seconds. You can get back to your activity after the break.
Importance of Regular Breaks and Rest
Prolonged screen time can lead to severe eye strain. Make it a point to take regular breaks. Allowing your eyes to rest can prevent overuse and maintain their health. Simple rest has long-term benefits. Set reminders on your phone or use computer applications specifically designed to remind you to take breaks.
Senior Helpers Can Assist With Healthy Routines
Incorporating these simple eye exercises into your daily routine can make a significant difference. Not only can these exercises help strengthen your eye muscles, improve focus, and relieve dry eyes, but they can also reduce eye strain and fatigue. Make these exercises a part of your daily routine, and you'll likely see an improvement in your overall eye health.
For personalized senior care services in Asheville, Hendersonville, Arden, and Fletcher, NC, contact us at Senior Helpers Asheville today.