30.09.2012:

HEALTH WATCH:

     “IN THE SERVICE OF VISION”

             We have heard that sitting in front of the computer for hours hurts our eyes.

But what do we do? Here are some answers.

TIRED: Refresh the eye with exercises.

SIMPLE EXERCISES:

  These not only help strengthen your eye muscles but also ensure visual comfort.

1. BLINKING:

         This is a simple way to keep the eyes fresh and able to focus longer. Blink every 3-4 seconds for two minutes. Then try not to blink for 30 seconds at a time for two minutes. Every time one blinks, the tear gland secretes fresh tears to refresh the eyes. Also, the brief period of darkness helps reduce eye strain.

2. PALMING:

         This relieves stress around the eyes. Lean forward on a desk. Close your eyes. Place both hands over the eyes with the cup of the palm covering the eyes. The fingers should be on the forehead and the heel of the hand on the cheekbone. Ensure you can blink freely and that you are not putting pressure on the eyes. Stay that way for few minutes. It may not seem like much but can make a big difference if done regularly.

3. FIGURE OF EIGHT:

       This will strengthen eye muscles over time and improve overall vision. Sit in a comfortable position. Put your thumb about 10 inches in front of you and focus on it. Now focus on something else about 10-20 feet in front of you. On each deep breath, switch between focusing on your thumb and the other object.

4. ZOOMING:

       This will strengthen focusing skills and eye muscles. Sit in a comfortable position. Stretch out your arm with the thumb in the hitchhike position. Focus on the thumb when the arm is outstretched. Now bring the thumb close to the face, focusing all the time until the thumb is about three inches in front of the face. Then move the thumb away until the arm is fully outstretched. Do this for a few minutes at a time throughout the day.