Do you know anyone close to you who has weak eyesight? You probably do, since so many people suffer from one or more eyesight problems. The high number of people with bad eyesight can be attributed to a number of factors, including an ever-aging population, eye strain, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes. It is vital to note that aging is the primary cause of poor vision.

Eye strain is the most common cause of bad eyesight. Focusing on a computer screen for too long can also cause eye strain, making it harder for eyes to focus on objects that are further away. It is also true that staring at television and computer screens is not good for your eyes. Eye strain can also be attributed to the nature of your work, especially if you spend many hours reading, writing and concentrating.

Another cause of bad eyesight is glaucoma. Glaucoma is a serious medical condition caused by increased pressure within the eye itself. This pressure eventually leads to impaired vision. There are two types of glaucoma: Open-Angle and Closed-Angle. Open-Angle Glaucoma is a prolonged but painless condition, while Closed-Angle Glaucoma can be sudden in onset and causes acute pain in the eye. Glaucoma can be difficult to treat and in some cases, can lead to blindness.

Cataracts are another condition that causes bad eyesight. The condition causes a cloud or opaqueness to cover the eye, causing loss of vision. The most common cause of cataracts is the normal aging process, although sudden trauma and certain diseases can trigger the clouding process.

Diabetes is another major cause of visual problems. Patients with diabetes often suffer from sight issues, as diabetes causes damage to the retina in the back of the eye. Weak eyesight is usually correctable with prescription glasses, lenses or surgery.

You can also try some natural home remedies to help improve your eyesight. Here are the top 10 home remedies for weak eyesight.

1. Regular Eye Exercises

Regular eye exercises can keep your eye muscles strong and increase circulation to the eye area. Here’s how to get started:

Apply a hot and cold compress

Soak one towel in warm water and one towel in cold water. Place the warm towel on your face, making sure it drapes over your eyebrows, closed eyelids, and cheeks. After three minutes, remove the warm towel and place the cold towel on your face.

Keep alternating between the two towels as desired, making sure to end with a cold compress. Alternating temperatures on your face will cause vasoconstriction and vasodilation – physiological changes that will stimulate your face and the skin around your eyes.

You can also do a full face massage with a towel soaked in warm water. Rub your neck, forehead and cheeks with the towel. Next, use your fingertips to gently massage your forehead and closed eyes.

Strengthen your eyes’ near and far focus

This exercise will strengthen the muscles in your eyes and help you maintain your current vision level. Sit in a chair or stand in front of a blank wall. Place your thumb about 10 inches in front of your face and focus on it. You can also focus on an object that is five to 10 feet away for 10 to 15 seconds.

Next, focus on an object that is 10 to 20 feet in front of you without tilting your head for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep alternating your focus between your thumb and the object 10 times at each set.

Practice zooming with your eyes

This is an effective eye-focusing exercise, as you have to constantly adjust how well you can focus on an object from certain distances. Start by sitting in a comfortable position. Stretch out your arm with your thumb up. Focus on your thumb. Bring your thumb closer to you, focusing until your thumb is about three inches in front of your face.

Move your thumb away again until your arm is fully outstretched. Repeat this exercise three more times. You can do them once a week. You can also do this exercise by holding a pencil in front of you at arm’s length. Move your arm slowly to your nose. Follow the pencil with your eyes until you can’t focus on it any longer.

2. Acupressure and Acupuncture

Acupressure involves the application of physical pressure to specific acupoints with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. The clinician will apply pressure by hand, elbow or with various devices. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory for the selection of such points and their effectiveness is that they work by stimulating the meridian system to bring about relief by rebalancing yin, yang and qi – also spelled “chi.”

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the body. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM theory and practice are not based upon scientific knowledge, and acupuncture is a pseudoscience. There are several different instruments for applying nonspecific pressure by rubbing, rolling or applying pressure on the reflex zones of the body.

There are various acupressure and acupuncture points around the orbits of the eyes, which are the bones that surround the eyeballs. Acupuncture and acupressure are most often used for pain relief, though they are also used for many other conditions. Acupuncture is generally used in combination with other forms of treatment.

Research shows that acupuncture is often used for the treatment of glaucoma and diabetes which are both conditions that cause weak eyesight. As mentioned earlier, glaucoma is a serious medical condition caused by increased pressure within the eye itself. The treatment involves the use of acupuncture around the acupuncture points around the orbits of the eyes, which are the bones that surround the eyeballs.

Acupuncture is generally safe when done by an appropriately trained practitioner using the clean needle technique and single-use needles. The majority of people who seek out acupuncture do so for musculoskeletal problems, including low back pain, shoulder stiffness and knee pain.

3. Sunning

The eye exercise referred to as sunning accomplishes several important, related things. It reduces light sensitivity and thereby reduces the tendency to squint in bright light. It also causes the pupils to fully contract; thereby creating sharper, clearer eyesight. At the same time, it stimulates the macula, since the macula needs bright light to function optimally.

The sun’s rays provide a full spectrum of benefits, both for our bodies and our minds. In particular, the sun provides vitamin D to help with the absorption of calcium into our bones. Improvements in mood can also be achieved, as the sun promotes the production and release of “happy hormones,” such as serotonin and endorphins. An insufficient amount of sunlight can affect the regulation of melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for helping you sleep at night.

Follow these steps to start sunning:

• Remove any corrective lenses, like eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Close your eyes and stand, sit or lay down facing the sun.
• Turn your head as far as possible all the way to the left and then all the way to the right.
• Make sure your head turns far enough so that your eyes are shaded from the sun.
• If your neck is not flexible enough to reach a point where your eyes are shaded, go ahead and turn your shoulders once your neck won’t turn any further.
• After getting some sun for a few minutes, turn away from sun and palm for five deep breaths by covering your eye orbits with loosely cupped hands. to do this, place the heels of your hands softly on your cheekbones and your fingers on your forehead.
• Turn back towards the sun and continue sunning, paying particular attention to the difference in color and intensity of light falling on your eyelids.
• The minimum suggested time for this sequence is 10 minutes and, if possible, be sure to end your sunning session with a short palming.

4. Palming

As mentioned in sunning, calming involves covering your closed eyes with your hands in such a way that there is no pressure on your eyeballs. The palms of your hands are slightly cupped over each eye, with the left hand over the left eye and the right hand over the right eye. Usually, the fingers are partly interlaced on the forehead. There should be no light, or as little as possible, allowed to enter the eye.

Once you are palming, open your eyes and look around to see if you can adjust your hands in such a way as to exclude as much light as possible. Close your eyes and repeat.

It is important to note that palming is supposed to be relaxing, but you may end up tightening your hands and arms in order to exclude more light. Don’t overdo it, and if necessary, compromise. The next time you palm, you may find a better position for the hands. Palming in a darkened room can be helpful.

Here are some palming positions:

• Sit on a dining-type chair in front of a table with a stack of cushions on it. The cushions are for resting your elbows. There should be enough cushions to allow you to easily bring your palms to your eyes without stooping forward or having to look up. Rest your elbows on the cushions and bring your hands to your eyes. Close your eyes, rest in the darkness, and don’t forget to breathe.
• Lie down on your back with a few books or pillows under your head. Put your knees up and keep your feet flat on the floor. Bring your hands to your eyes and start palming. The disadvantage of this is that you have to hold your arms up, which can be difficult if you want to palm for a long period.

If you like palming, then find at least one time each day that you will be able to palm without any disturbances.

5. Nutrition for Healthy Eyes

The following vitamins, minerals and nutrients have been shown to be essential for good vision and may even protect your eyes from eye conditions and diseases:

• Beta-carotene: When taken in combination with zinc and vitamins C and E, beta-carotene may reduce the progression of macular degeneration. Food sources include carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale and butternut squash.
• Bioflavonoids or Flavonoids: Protects against cataracts and macular degeneration. Food sources include tea, red wine, citrus fruits, bilberries, blueberries, cherries, legumes and soy products.
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Prevents cataracts and macular degeneration. Food sources include spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens and squash.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: May help prevent macular degeneration (AMD) and dry eyes. Food sources include cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring; fish and flaxseed oil supplements, freshly ground flaxseeds and walnuts.
• Selenium: When combined with carotenoids and vitamins C and E, selenium may reduce the risk of advanced AMD. Food sources include seafood like shrimp, crab, salmon and halibut, Brazil nuts, enriched noodles and brown rice.
• Vitamin A: Protects against night blindness and dry eyes. Food sources include beef or chicken liver, eggs, butter and milk.
• Vitamin C: Reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Food sources include sweet red or green peppers, kale, strawberries, broccoli, oranges and cantaloupe.
• Vitamin D: May reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Food sources include salmon, sardines, mackerel and milk. The best source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun stimulates the production of vitamin D in human skin.
• Vitamin E: When combined with carotenoids and vitamin C, vitamin E may reduce the risk of advanced AMD. Food sources include almonds, sunflower seeds and hazelnuts.

6. Fennel

Fennel’s fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B-6 and phytonutrient content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health. Fennel contains significant amounts of fiber, which helps lower the total cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease. Apart from these benefits, there are numerous medicinal uses and additional health benefits, mainly due to the components of its essential oils.

Using fennel in food helps protect the eyes from inflammation, as well as helps to reduce disorders related to premature aging and macular degeneration. This is due to the high abundance of antioxidants like vitamin C and amino acids like arginine, which are beneficial for the rejuvenation of tissues and the prevention of aging, detoxifiers and stimulants. They are more specifically in fennel essential oils.

Finally, the juice of fennel leaves and the plant itself can be externally applied on the eyes to reduce irritation and eye fatigue. Fennel is also a rich source of flavonoids, which are useful in protecting against pigment cells dying due to oxidative stress-induced death. By protecting against this destruction of the pigment cells, fennel can safely be classified as effective in eye health for numerous reasons.

Mix one teaspoonful of a powdered mixture of equal amounts of fennel, almonds and mishri, or rock sugar, with a glass of lukewarm water. Drink it consistently before bed for one and a half months to help enhance visual perception. You can save this mix in a glass jar to keep it fresh.

Abstain from drinking water for at least two hours after drinking this mixture. Taking the mixture of powdered fennel, almonds and mishri help in upgrading your memory and fixation levels by curing cerebral pain and eye pains. It also helps in preventing eye disorders, like optic nerve weakness, glaucoma and night blindness. You can also try improving your vision by mixing carrot juice with a half teaspoon of powdered fennel regularly.

7. Wild Asparagus

Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin K, folate, copper, selenium, vitamin B2, vitamin C and vitamin E. It is a good source of dietary fiber, manganese, phosphorus, niacin, potassium, choline, vitamin A, zinc, iron, protein, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. The medicinal effect of an asparagus plant extends from its root to shoot, and its usage has been tested and proven in scientific, as well as indigenous systems of medicine like Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani.

As mentioned in the introductory part of the article, diabetes is a major cause of visual problems. The anti-inflammatory nutrients present in asparagus help in reducing the risk of chronic health ailments, including type 2 diabetes. This beneficial effect is also attributed to the presence of the mineral, chromium, which plays a vital role in regulating the blood sugar levels of the body. Studies conducted in this regard have shown significant results and have proven that asparagus helps in keeping a check on blood sugar levels, improves insulin secretion and provides an anti-diabetic effect, which reduces the risks of visual problems.

Asparagus is a source of vitamin A, which is essential for good vision. Due to the presence of antioxidants, asparagus helps in defending the retina from the damage caused by oxygen-free radicals. The presence of the amino acid, glutathione, in asparagus also helps in reducing the risk of eye ailments, such as cataracts and night blindness.

Asparagus extract contains essential amino acids that may prove effective in curing hangovers. A hangover is the unpleasant physiological effect caused due to substantial consumption of alcoholic drinks. Its symptoms include anxiety, fatigue and stomach disorders like nausea, vomiting and dehydration. Research studies have demonstrated the leaves and shoots of asparagus contain a high amount of inorganic mineral content, which also aids in the protection of the liver cells from the toxic effects of alcohol.

8. Bilberry

Bilberry contains anthocyanosides, which are potent antioxidants that strengthen blood vessels and capillary walls, improve red blood cells and stabilize collagen tissues, such as tendons, ligaments and cartilage. These types of antioxidants also have a cholesterol-lowering effect and can increase the retinal pigments that allow the eyes to tolerate light.

The anthocyanosides in bilberry are plant pigments that have powerful antioxidant properties. One study showed that bilberry had positive effects on vision in lower-light environments. These antioxidants scavenge the body for free radicals, with the intention of helping to prevent or reverse damaged cells. The bilberry, also known as Vaccinium Myrtillus L., in the medical world, is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins are polyphenolic components that give bilberry its blue-black color and super-high antioxidant content. These powerful anthocyanins are believed to be the bioactive responsible for the numerous health benefits of bilberry and similar berry fruits. Bilberry has the ability to improve vision, but it has also been reported to lower blood glucose and has anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.

Bilberry promotes antioxidant defense and lower oxidative stress. This makes bilberry highly sought after in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, inflammation, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia or increased oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and dementia, in addition to other age-related diseases.

The anthocyanosides in bilberry are widely used to improve night vision or vision handicaps in low light, decreasing vascular permeability and capillary fragility. It was reported that during World War II, British fighter pilots had improved nighttime vision after eating bilberry jam.

Bilberry has been suggested as a treatment for retinopathy, which is damage to the retina. It has also exhibited protective effects against macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. Research shows that most bilberries help reduce the body’s glucose response after eating a high-sugar meal. Studies suggest bilberry may be effective for managing blood sugar levels, particularly when combined with oatmeal, though more research is needed.

9. Almonds

Almonds are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber, and are associated with a number of health benefits. The health benefits of almonds have been documented for centuries, and modern research is backing up many of these claims, so there any many good reasons for people to include them in their diet.

The almond is a highly nutritional nut that is a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It also contains zinc, selenium, copper and niacin. Compared to all other nuts, almonds have the most nutrients and beneficial components. Both sweet and bitter almonds are readily available. Traditionally, sweet almonds are edible, while bitter almonds are used to make almond oil, which is the common oil that is used to add flavor to food.

You can eat almonds raw, but many people also add them as ingredients in salads, casseroles and other dishes. Almond milk is also a delicious beverage and an alternative to less nutritious cow’s milk. You can eat almonds directly, preferably on an empty stomach to increase and speed up the absorption of their nutrients. You can soak them in water overnight, so you can eat them in the morning. Crushed almonds are also a wonderful garnish for a number of recipes.

10. Indian Gooseberry

You can consume both dried and fresh Indian gooseberries for their health benefits. Gooseberries provide remedies for many diseases, so they are widely used in Ayurvedic treatments. Gooseberry is rich in vitamin C and contains many minerals and vitamins, like calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene and vitamin B complex.

The health benefits of Indian gooseberry, also known as amla, can be partially attributed to its high vitamin-C content. Amla can bring the following benefits:

• Enhances food absorption
• Balances stomach acids
• Fortifies the liver
• Nourishes the brain and mental functioning
• Supports the heart
• Strengthens the lungs
• Regulates elimination of free radicals
• Enhances fertility
• Helps the urinary system
• Increases skin health
• Promotes healthier hair
• Acts as a body coolant
• Flushes out toxins
• Increases vitality
• Strengthens eyes
• Improves muscle tone
• Acts as an antioxidant

Many health problems are caused by oxidative damage, which is when body cells use oxygen and produce by-products called free radicals that can cause damage. Antioxidant agents prevent and repair these damages. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant agent, which makes gooseberries a strong tool against a variety of conditions. Consumption of gooseberry gives your body an amazing weapon against urinary problems, as well as cerebral, gastric and cardiovascular illness.

Gooseberry lowers cholesterol levels, increases red blood cell production, and strengthens your teeth and nails. In other words, if you consume Indian gooseberry or amla as fresh fruit, juice or in a dried form, you could see a big improvement in your health.

Drinking gooseberry juice is helpful for improving eyesight. Studies have shown it to improve nearsightedness and cataracts, while reducing intraocular tension. This is mainly due to its impressive content of carotene, which has long been known for its powerful effects on vision-related conditions, including those that stem from free radical activity. Vitamin A and carotenes reduce macular degeneration and night blindness while strengthening your vision before age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur.

There are many things you can do to protect your precious vision. Just choose a few of these tips to try and you could see a big difference in your vision.

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