6 Ways to Relieve Computer Vision Syndrome with Eye Yoga

Looking at a computer screen or cell phone throughout the day may be impacting your eye health. Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a condition that affects 50-90% of people who report at least one eye weakening symptom. It is not just adult desk jockeys either as CVS even affects children from as young as kindergarten all the way up to high school. If you think you may be struggling with one or more symptoms of CVS, special eye exercises called eye yoga may be helpful.

These 6 ways to relieve CVS with eye yoga have been shown to improve symptoms in many sufferers and could also be beneficial if you have other vision challenges such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or even cataracts. It is a combination of fast, easy applications which may not seem like much but in the long run could have you way ahead of the pack when it comes to clear eyesight.

CVS Symptoms

Computer vision syndrome presents in variety of ways which are usually caused by individual problems, poor workplace conditions and improper work habits. Some symptoms seem benign, with most people experiencing them regardless, while others could be more impeding.

The top symptoms that cause eye stress and discomfort include chronic challenges with:

• Dry, red eyes
• Eye irritation
• Double vision
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Neck pain
• Back pain

Researchers from Gujarat Ayurved University, India studied CVS concluding that,

“Computer has become an integral part of office equipments. Because computer use is such a high visual demanding task, vision problems and symptoms have become very common at today’s workplace…Computer users are invariably exposed to the risk of developing “CVS” leading to marked deterioration in performance owing to the severity and persistence of disorders. So, abstinence from cause is the ideal solution but it is far from practicality in the case of CVS.”

A Quick Yoga Overview

The practice of yoga has been in existence for centuries, originating in India and now used by all walks of life worldwide. Through focused breathing, yoga is made up of a combination of stretches that go from simple, elongating, beginner moves to more involved, pretzel-like, head standing, poses.

Yoga is no longer considered a “hippie” or “granola” practice reserved only for the young, tree huggers that don’t seem to have a job. Now, it can be found in hospitals, assisted living facilities and even pre-school formats incorporating every age and ability.

Paula R. Pullen, PhD, Research Instructor at the Morehouse School of Medicine comments in a  Forbes interview regarding her take on yoga,

“Yoga balances the body, the hormonal system, and the stress response. People tend to think of yoga as being all about flexibility – it’s not.  It’s about rebalancing and healing the body.”

Bringing it to Sight

Yoga has long been considered a full systemic healing tool for both body and mind with many scientific studies proving it a valid practice. Some studies show how yoga may directly affect the eyes.

The same researchers from Gujarat Ayurved University, India, studied how a yoga practice called Trataka Yoga Kriya where the practitioner continually stares at an object was an efficient application in treating ametropia (abnormal refractive condition such as astigmatism) and presbyopia (far sightedness), concluding that,

“There was moderate improvement in clarity of vision, contrast sensitivity, and fineness of objects. Though the degree of this improvement was almost similar in both the groups, a better relief was appreciated by patients of Trataka Yoga Kriya group. It is an encouraging finding that a non-pharmacological, low cost, relaxation technique can improve the quality of vision, by which it indirectly checks the progression of the disease condition.”

With studies like these, eye yoga is now as encouraging as traditional yoga.

Eye Yoga Positions for CVS

These eye yoga positions for CVS should be performed throughout the day at least three or more times. They’re easy, take very little time, and may help you avoid CVS symptom discomfort as well as possibly stave off other potential eye problems. It is important to note that deep breathing in your nose and out your mouth during these exercises is essential.

• Palm – Rub palms together for heat; cup and then gently press on your closed eyes 3-5 times.
• Blink – Relax face; focus on an object; breathe; open and close your eyes 10 times; close eyes for 20 seconds; repeat 3 times.
• Gaze up and down, left and right – Relax face; breathe; look up, look down, look left look right. Switch sequence; do 5 times each.
• Circles both directions – Slowly circle your eyes to your right then left repeating 3 times
• Shift focus – Fix on a distant object for 30 seconds; a closer object for 30 seconds; then a very close object. Do 3 times.
• Thumb to nose – Hold arms out to sides with hands closed and thumbs up. While looking forward move thumbs into vision slowly bring them to the tip of your nose following in your peripheral vision without moving your neck. Reverse and repeat 3 times.

Keeping your eyes healthy with these 6 eye yoga exercises several times per day could make all the difference in maintaining optimal vision health.