5 Eye Exercises To Improve Cataracts Naturally

Eye doctors always say everyone will get cataracts if they just live long enough. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. While 80 is already pretty far up there, and clearly not everyone seems to get them, it’s important to understand what we can do to prevent, stop, and potentially reverse early-stage cataracts.

Cataracts result from the clumping of proteins in the lens of the eye, which leads to cloudiness and impaired vision. This cloudiness can occur in different parts of the lens, affecting vision to varying degrees.

Lifestyle choices are both the root cause and the cure in preventing and managing cataracts. Factors such as diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and exposure to toxins can significantly impact the health of our eyes. By addressing these factors, we can take proactive steps to maintain clear vision.

Beyond that, there are vision practices (call them eye exercises if you like) that can really help optimize your results.

My 5 Favorite “Eye Exercises” for Cataracts:

In my work I focus on natural vision improvement techniques on the physical, mental, and emotional levels that will help your eyes stay clear of cataracts and assist if you already have them. 

1. Color of the Day:
   This simple game involves choosing a color and actively paying attention to where you see it in your environment. This practice not only helps you stay present but also brings joy, a focus on what you can see and it keeps you engaged with your surroundings. Focus on the positive and joyful things will help with the emotional aspects of cataracts too.
   
2. Imagine Clarity:
   Close your eyes and imagine looking at a pristine, white piece of paper. Visualize drawing on it with an imaginary, super black pen attached to your nose. The paper can be any size and is situated at your favorite distance. Now begin, all in your imagination of course, to draw with your nose pencil on that paper. You can doodle, write your name, whatever you want. Imagine the line you are drawing as super black and the paper super white. Then slowly begin to move the paper closer or further away, depending on if you started up close or in the distance. This helps your lens mobility and strengthens your ciliary muscle which improves your cataract.
   
3. Swinging:
   Swinging involves a gentle head movement from side to side while keeping your eyes looking straight ahead and relaxed by following the motion. This practice stimulates the ocular muscles and improves the small saccadic eye movements, which is crucial for maintaining clear vision and avoiding cataracts.
   
4. Sunning:
   Sun exposure is crucial for eye health. You might have been told that exposure to sunlight caused your cataracts. That has never been proven. While there is such a thing as too much sun exposure, most of us are not nearly getting enough to keep our eyes, body and mind healthy. The practice of Sunning involves exposing your closed eyes to natural sunlight, which can improve light sensitivity and pupillary reaction time. I recommend starting this practice in the early morning or late afternoon when UV exposure is minimal, until you feel more comfortable. More on sunning here.
   
5. Palming:
   Palming is a relaxation technique where you cover your closed eyes with your cupped hands, blocking out light and promoting deep relaxation of the optic nerve and the eyes, and really your whole body and mind. I encourage incorporating visualization of a clear lens during palming to enhance its effectiveness for prevention and management of cataracts. More on palming here. 

Promising Cataract Research and Alternative Treatments:

Here some promising research in non-surgical treatments for cataracts, such as specific eye drops and compounds being tested in animal studies:

• NAC N-Acetyl-Carnosine: A 2009 human study showed potential benefits for cataracts. Read more.
• N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) eye drops: A 2017 rat study indicated positive results. Read more.
• Oxysterol: A 2022 mice study demonstrated significant improvements. Read more.

While these treatments are not yet widely available, they offer hope for future non-invasive options.

Additional Video Resources:

• How to do the swing correctly: Watch here
• Palming guided meditation for cataracts: Watch here
• Sunlight for cataracts explained by eye doctor: Watch here
• How to use a field divider for cataracts and other vision challenges: Watch here