Are eye workouts and blue light-blocking spectacles effective? A specialist reveals the truth.
These practices consist of applying pressure to the eye, moving the eye around, or forcing oneself to read with improper prescription glasses in an attempt to "train" the eyes.
As a professional in the field of eye care, having seen numerous patients, I can assert that no scientific research has proven these exercises to be effective in eliminating glass needs or offering any substantial benefits in the long term. There is simply no conclusive evidence behind them.
The Real Deal
The lack of evidence applies to various eye issues and diseases, including common ones like myopia (nearsightedness) where close objects appear clear but distant ones are blurry, and hyperopia (farsightedness) when objects in the distance are clear but near ones appear blurry, among others. Furthermore, these exercises offer no help with presbyopia, a condition requiring reading glasses that often sets in around the age of 40.
With presbyopia, the patient isn't nearsighted or farsighted, and uses no glasses for distance vision. However, as the eye's lens ages, it experiences difficulty focusing on fine print and smaller text. This problem escalates with age, which in turn necessitates stronger reading glasses.
Despite various claims to alleviate the need for reading glasses, there's little to no proof of their efficacy.
That being said, here are some practical steps for maintaining healthy eyes:
Vision Development in Children
For all children, a baseline eye exam is recommended during infancy and again between 6 and 12 months, with a third exam between ages 1 to 3. A more comprehensive evaluation should be done between ages 3 and 5 to check for potential eye misalignments, ocular health, and any requirement for glasses.
Neglecting to address eye misalignment issues or provision of glasses for those who need them could result in unnatural visual development or lazy eye (amblyopia).
Prolonged time dedicated to near work, such as spending hours on phones or computers, can contribute to the progression of nearsightedness in children.
Limiting the time spent on up-close reading tasks like reading extra-curricularly can potentially hinder the progression of nearsightedness in children.
Excess screen time may cause eye strain, dryness, and overall eye discomfort. Following a simple rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to gaze at something 20 feet away. During these breaks, try to relax your eyes and blink. Artificial teardrops, commercially available, can aid in alleviating dryness.
Being outdoors more often can have positive effects on the eyes. Research suggests that a higher prevalence of nearsightedness occurs in children who spend less time outdoors. However, caution should be taken when directly exposing the eyes to sunlight, as this can cause permanent damage.
Blue Light Blockers and Supplements
Advertisements for blue-light-blocking glasses claim they prevent headaches, strain, and improve sleep. However, certain studies, including a large, randomized control trial, revealed blue-blocking lenses did not alleviate symptoms of eye strain. Moreover, the evidence suggesting these glasses help regulate circadian rhythms is limited.
Beware of supplements, dietary supplements, or natural remedies that claim to treat any eye condition as scientific support for such claims is non-existent. Additionally, there is no proof that these supplements improve vision, reduce floaters, or eliminate the need for glasses. The same goes for essential oils or other top applications for vision issues.
While omega-3s have been previously associated with dry eye symptoms, there's no solid evidence that they aid in such conditions, though they provide various other health benefits.
One study demonstrated a moderated progression of intermediate age-related macular degeneration in some patients who used over-the-counter vitamins – specifically the AREDS2 formula. Yet, these vitamins provided no benefits for patients with early or no signs of the disease.
Effective Measures
When struggling with certain eye conditions, vision therapy may be suggested to address problems like misaligned eyes or issues with focusing on close objects, resulting in symptoms like double vision (diplopia). However, these issues are better addressed by your eye doctor and are irrelevant to the necessity of reading or distance glasses.
For general eye health, a diet loaded with vegetables and other nutritious foods may lower the risk of some eye diseases. Exercise has also been found to be associated with a reduction of glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration risk.
Avoiding cigarettes is essential because smoking has been linked to several vision problems, including age-related macular degeneration.
Lastly, refrain from rubbing your eyes. Doing so may exacerbate irritation. Additionally, always remember to remove makeup before asleep to maintain eye health. And never sleep with contact lenses – it can lead to infections and sight-threatening conditions.
Image: Benjamine Archambault
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Despite the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of eye exercises or blue light-blocking spectacles in managing various eye issues, promoting wellness for overall eye health remains crucial. Implementing good habits such as taking regular breaks from screens, limiting prolonged near work, and increasing outdoor time can help maintain eye health and potentially slow down the progression of nearsightedness in children.
