Not that long ago, eyesight deterioration and strain was primarily caused by natural aging. Today, however, screens and artificial lights have piled on.

As a result, eye doctors say that the general rate of vision deterioration is accelerating at an alarming pace. How alarming? Well, 35-year-olds are popping up with the sort of eye damage that was once seen in 75-year-olds. I’ve been wearing glasses for more than 12 years. I know the struggle of dealing with vision loss, and I’m sure many of you do, too. And while it might seem like there’s nothing that can be done except getting stronger glasses prescriptions every now and again, there actually are ways to combat vision loss and prevent further damage. Check out these 7 exercises!

1. The Pencil Trick

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According to research from the Middle East African Journal of Opthalmology, this exercise is a great alternative to expensive professional eye therapy.

If you wear glasses, take them off. Then, grab a pencil and hold it in front of you at arm’s length. Focus on it with both eyes and slowly begin to move the pencil towards your nose. Stop when it disappears. Repeat this exercise about 10 times daily.

2. Writing On The Wall

This trick comes from expert eye firm Lasik MD.

Sit down in a chair that’s facing a wall. The chair and wall should be several feet apart. Using only the movement of your eyes – don’t adjust your head – trace a word on the wall using your imaginary eye ink. The bigger the letters the better.

3. Sunning

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The sunning process harnesses the most powerful thing we can see from Earth – the sun – and converts it into an eyesight-healer.

Head outside on a sunny day and sit facing our good old solar friend. Close your eyes and allow the sunlight to fall directly on your eyelids for about 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes, you should notice that your eyesight is a bit clearer.

Make sure you’re not wearing contacts as you perform this exercise, as the lenses will produce heat that can damage your eyes.

4. Ginkgo Biloba Supplements

Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living species of tree on the planet. It has been used for centuries to treat a number of conditions, including vision loss.

Today, researchers know that ginkgo biloba improves eye health by boosting blood circulation and repairing oxidation damage to the body.

You can buy ginkgo biloba in the form of supplements. The standard 120 mg daily dose will repair eyesight just fine.

5. Vitamin E

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Vitamin E and your eyes make a pretty good pair. That’s because vitamin E is an antioxidant that can reverse cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in the world.

A great source of vitamin E is almonds. Eat a handful daily. You can also make your very own almond milk with the help of a NutriBullet and David Wolfe through this video!

6. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds reduce eye pressure, thereby supporting blood vessel dilation. In the long term, this prevents glaucoma – a condition that results in progressive eye nerve damage.

You can buy fennel seeds here.

Take one cup each of almonds and fennel seeds. Toss them both into your blender and blend into a fine powder. Eat one tablespoon of this powder daily before bed, followed by a glass of warm milk. Do this for a minimum of 40 days.

7. Indian Gooseberry

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Indian gooseberry strengthens your eyes thanks to its high vitamin C content and powerful antioxidant capabilities.

To use Indian gooseberry for your eyes, you’ll want to turn it into a powder. You can also buy organic Indian gooseberry powder here.

Mix two to four teaspoons of the powder with water and honey. Drink this daily for at least a few months.

Looking for even more eyesight tips? Check out this video from natural health guru Tyler Tolman!

Sources:
OrganicFacts.net
WebMD
World Health Organization
ImproveYourEyesight.org
Lasik MD
Middle East African Journal of Opthalmology
ESCRS.org