How come people said that eye exercises can improve the eyesight but other people don't?

Question

Some people said eye exercises definitely did improve their eyesight and they said eye exercises can work. But how come people said that eye exercises DON'T improve your eyesight?

It is kind of confusing.

Answer 1

It's exactly that: there are *some* circumstances where eye exercises can have a marked effect (I've shifted someone four lines on a letter chart in ten minutes, more than once) but in the majority of cases there will be little or no improvement, (allowing for concentration and "the practice effect")

It will depend on the state of the eye as to whether there is a prospect for eye exercises helping.

With ciliary spasm, and some forms of binocular coordination issues, and with amblyopia, the appropriate exercises in each case can be very effective.

The trouble is, the ciliary spasm cases can *look like* a cure for myopia.  They are not, because the basic myopia was never really there.  The eyes had just jammed into close focus not shifted their fundamental refractive power.

Some advocates of eye exercises, especially certain websites, will disagree, and may claim obstinacy or actual conspiracy by the world's eye authorities.  But no claim for a universal treatment by exercise has ever gained widespread approval or, as far as I'm aware, passed rigorous trials.

Optometrist, retired.

edit.  There you are: Mary W disagrees with me, and I disgree  with her (politely, as neither has "thumbs downed" the other)  I agree that there is this divide of opinion.

Answer 2

Back in the fifties, good eye doctors found that eye exercises improve near-sightedness, which is caused by weak eye muscles.  As time went on, many doctors stopped giving out such remedies because they found that they could make more money by keeping patients in glasses.  Mind you, eye exercises could correct the early stages of myopia(near sight) but not all problems.  Now  many, BUT NOT ALL, doctors are bottom liners, they want to make all the money they can off you.  This is the American "decline and fall of the empire in practice", and it breaks my heart to say so.

Answer 3

Sometimes eye exercises can improve vision.  It depends on the source of the problem.  You should consult with a doctor who practices vision therapy and find out what options are available to you.