| schema:text
| - Last Updated on December 12, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that eye yoga and acupressure can remove glasses in 15 minutes. We did the fact check to term this claim as false.
The Claim
An Instagram post claims, “15 minutes mein hatega aankhon se chashma!” (Glasses will be removed in just 15 minutes). The video features a man demonstrating eye exercises, such as looking sideways, alternating focus between near and far objects, and practising acupressure. The acupressure points are said to be located on the palm beneath the middle and ring fingers, and pressing them for 2–3 minutes daily is claimed to eliminate the need for eyeglasses.
Fact Check
Can eye yoga restore vision in 15 minutes?
Not really. Eye yoga may help relax the eyes and reduce strain, but it does not improve vision or correct refractive errors.
Eye yoga involves exercises like focusing on near and distant objects or moving the eyes in different directions. These can provide temporary relief from digital eye strain or fatigue due to prolonged screen time. Sadly, there is increasing fear-mongering on social media regarding computer vision syndrome or smartphone vision syndrome leading to blindness, but this is misleading. It is still advisable to limit screen time, as prolonged exposure can affect eyesight.
Moreover, refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism are structural issues of the eye. They require corrective lenses or medical interventions like laser surgery for improvement. Eye exercises can help reduce strain and relax the eye muscles, but they cannot improve vision enough to eliminate the need for glasses.
Scientific studies do not support the idea that eye yoga can reverse or cure vision problems like myopia. A 2023 meta analysis showed that eye exercises have little to no impact on improving vision or stopping myopia from getting worse. While there were some small benefits, we need stronger evidence to confirm their effectiveness.
Dr Pradeep Dahale, MS, DNB (Ophthalmology), explains that eye exercises can help reduce strain, especially for those who spend long hours in front of screens. These exercises may also support overall eye health and potentially help prevent certain eye conditions. However, he clarifies that they cannot improve vision or fix refractive issues like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism.
Dr Dahale further explains, “Eyeglasses are prescribed by Ophthalmologists or Optometrists to correct vision problems caused by variations in the eye’s anatomy. These issues, such as the size of the eyeball, cannot be changed through exercises, eye drops, or supplements. Therefore, it’s unrealistic to think that vision can be corrected naturally or that eyeglasses can be removed simply by exercising.”
In a previous interview with THIP Media, Dr Anchal Gupta, Ophthalmologist at Netram Eye Centre, New Delhi, shared her expert insights on the question, “Can eye exercises improve eyesight?”
Does acupressure eliminate the need for glasses?
No, it does not. Acupressure is not a proven treatment for correcting vision problems. Acupressure involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, purportedly to improve overall well-being or address certain ailments. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that pressing points on the palm can affect vision or correct refractive errors.
To add, a 2010 study showed that ear acupressure might help lower eye pressure and improve vision in glaucoma patients for a short time. The effects were strongest after 3–4 weeks but went away after stopping the treatment.
While acupressure may help relieve stress or headaches caused by eye strain, it cannot change the physical shape of the cornea or lens, both of which are essential to refractive errors. The claim that pressing acupressure points for 2–3 minutes daily can remove glasses, especially in just 15 minutes, is nothing more than an exaggeration. It is both misleading and medically baseless. Similarly, we have seen claims like lemon water to cure eye problems in just 7 minutes. This too, is an overstatement and false.
Are there effective alternatives for improving eyesight?
Yes, but they do not include quick fixes like exercises or acupressure. Improving eyesight or addressing vision problems usually requires corrective measures such as glasses, contact lenses, or surgical options like LASIK. For age-related vision changes, regular check-ups and prescription updates are essential.
Practising good eye habits, like taking regular breaks from screens (the 20-20-20 rule: look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes), maintaining a healthy diet for eyes which is rich in vitamin A and antioxidants, and protecting eyes from UV rays, can support overall eye health. However, these measures do not replace glasses or medical treatments.
Previously, we have also debunked social media posts which claim that kiwi fruit can cure eye diseases and improve eyesight.
THIP Media Take
The claim that eye yoga and acupressure can remove glasses in 15 minutes is false. While these practices may reduce eye strain and promote relaxation, they cannot correct vision problems or eliminate the need for glasses. Consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist for effective solutions to vision-related issues.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)