Since the early 1900s, newspaper advertisements have promoted eye exercises and do-it-yourself programs for improving eyesight. Some even claimed that the program would work so effectively that you wouldn’t have to wear glasses.

Nowadays, there are ways to improve vision through laser surgery. However, if you want to get benefits without surgery, the question arises: should you consider spending your time and money on natural vision correction?

The Natural Physics of the Eye

People who believed vision could be improved through exercises one hundred years ago and even now don’t fully understand how these vital organs function. Vision correction done by professional eye surgeons is based on the anatomy of the eye, not on muscle function. Eye shape causes common focusing errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.

To date, no exercises have been shown to change the shape of the eye or prevent presbyopia (age-related problems with near vision caused by inelasticity, which eventually affects everyone).

Because of this, natural and self-help products should be approached with caution. In a 2006 case, the See Clearly Method exercise program in Iowa ended. More customers had registered complaints than expressed satisfaction with the program.

Impact Eye Health with Nutrition

While exercises have not been proven to help your vision, nutrition can impact your eye health. In 2013, a large-scale study sponsored by the National Eye Institute investigated the role of nutrients in preventing macular degeneration (AMD) and other age-related eye diseases. Participants with early signs of macular degeneration took a supplement containing the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin. This study showed that these supplements reduced the risk of AMD progression.

The Future of Vision Correction

Scientific and technical breakthroughs are advancing vision correction to amazing new heights. Reports by the American Optometric Association show some of the current developments in improving vision and treating eye diseases.

Stem Cells

Ocular transplantation of stem cells is expected to help patients with retinal and optic nerve conditions. It is hoped that stem cells can be used to regrow retinal or optic nerve tissue lost to degenerative diseases, including Stargardt Disease, dry age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

Low Vision Video Glasses

Patients who rely on spectacle-mounted magnifiers or miniature telescopes may soon benefit from advances in video magnification. There are glasses that superimpose a simplified video image over the wearer’s vision. This method would not replace lost vision but rather give the wearer increased spatial awareness.

Antimicrobial-Coated Contact Lenses

Eye infections are a rare but potentially serious issue for contact lens wearers. A compound coating that can minimize microbial colonization and biofilm formation is currently being explored. Because it is heat stable, wettable, nontoxic, and would not change lens dimensions, the coating has great potential for this application due to the reduced risk of infection and inflammation.

Ask your Vistar eye care professional about advances in vision correction. What was impossible yesterday may be possible today.