Some have proposed eye exercises can rid your eyes of astigmatism so you can see clearly without eyeglasses or contact lenses.
But do these “astigmatism eye exercises” really work?
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism can be a misunderstood condition. Astigmatism is a refractive error, like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Refractive errors are imperfections of the shape of the cornea and/or lens of the eye that prevent light from forming clear images on the light-sensitive retina in the back of the eye.
Typically, astigmatism is due to the cornea having unequal curves in different meridians of the eye. In simple terms, this causes the cornea to be shaped more like an American football than a soccer ball.
Uncorrected astigmatism can cause blurred or distorted images of objects at all distances, eyestrain and headaches. Astigmatism usually is corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or vision correction surgery.
SEE RELATED: Understanding astigmatism: Answers to common astigmatism questions
What are eye exercises for astigmatism?
Many people would prefer to see clearly without a need for glasses or contact lenses.
Sites that offer eye exercises for astigmatism so you can “see clearly naturally” and “throw away your glasses” are an example of this.
These "astigmatism eye exercises" typically are visual activities and eye movements designed to exercise or relax your eye muscles.
Examples might include:
- Closing your eyes and then moving them from side to side while concentrating on your closed eyes and your breathing.
- Extending one arm with the thumb on that hand pointing up, then slowly following your thumb with your eyes as you make circular motions with your arm.
- Taking a break from your screen and letting your eyes rest by looking at an object in the distance for a short period of time while fully blinking your eyes.
While such activities might be a welcome break from staring at your computer screen or phone for hours at a time (the last example might help relieve digital eye strain and discomfort from dry eyes), there is no research to support these eye exercises can reduce astigmatism.
See your eye doctor
The ideal way to see as clearly and comfortably as possible is to visit your optometrist or ophthalmologist for regular comprehensive eye exams.
If you have astigmatism, your eye doctor can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to fully correct your vision.
If you are over age 18 and your glasses prescription has been stable for at least a year, LASIK or other refractive surgery cab be an option to correct astigmatism without glasses or contacts.
Read next: Astigmatism treatment
