Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in India, where it originated. Today, more and more people are joining the movement to incorporate the practice into their lives and lifestyles to reduce stress and improve overall health, both physically and mentally. However, there are certain misconceptions about yoga that should be addressed before you jump on the bandwagon. One such misconception is whether or not yoga can benefit your eyesight. In this article, we will look at some of the benefits that yoga offers your eyesight as well as some tips for incorporating yoga into your daily routine to improve your vision.

What is nearsightedness/myopia?

• If you’re nearsighted, it means that your eyeball is abnormally long. So instead of being able to see objects up close clearly (like a book or computer screen), distant objects are fuzzy. The risk of being nearsighted increases with age; about 25% of 40-year-olds are nearsighted, compared to 80% of 65-year-olds. There’s also a genetic component; children whose parents are nearsighted have a much higher chance of getting myopia than kids without any history of it in their family. While you can’t change your genetics, you can reduce your risk by taking preventive measures and increasing your eyesight naturally as you get older.

How does myopia develop

• Myopia or nearsightedness is caused by an eyeball that’s longer than normal. Normally, rays of light converge in front of your retina to create a clear image; if you’re nearsighted, those same rays don’t line up correctly and your brain has to work extra hard (with squinting and eye strain) to see things. Myopia develops slowly as a child grows and tends to be worse at an early age; over time, though, it often stabilizes or improves due to muscles adjusting to having less-than-normal eyesight.

Treatments for nearsightedness/myopia

• contact lenses, glasses, surgery: In recent years, yoga has become increasingly popular in treating myopia. It is often credited with reducing eye strain and stress, which are believed to contribute to short-sightedness. One study that examined eight previously published studies concluded that yoga may be considered as an effective intervention strategy to ameliorate myopia. Although all of these studies have serious limitations and need further investigation, most do agree that yoga exercises significantly reduce eye tension, relieve asthenopia (eye fatigue), help lower intraocular pressure, and improve visual acuity. The only trouble is we don't know if it's yoga specifically or just being physically active that helps prevent short-sightedness.

Yoga and myopia

• What’s up with that? : Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an eye condition in which you can see things at a distance but are unable to see objects up close. It’s one of the most common refractive errors (conditions in which your vision becomes blurred because of an abnormality within your eyes). Estimates vary on how many people suffer from myopia globally but it’s believed that as much as half of North Americans have some form of myopia. This number continues to rise and there have been countless attempts to explain why. New research points to poor posture and muscle imbalance as contributing factors.

What happens in a class

• Whether you want to decompress after a long day or beat stress in an afternoon, yoga can be an excellent option. It’s essentially a set of stretches that promote relaxation and flexibility, but it can also help improve your eyesight. That’s right – many people who practice yoga see improvements in their vision. Of course, it isn’t going to turn you into Christian Bale (who started doing yoga while filming The Machinist) overnight, but it could have a positive impact over time. One recent study found that practicing yoga improved distance vision in older women by boosting eye health and reducing eye strain. Another linked it to improved acuity among teenagers with astigmatism, though additional research is needed to confirm these findings.

How do I find a good class?

• Before you commit to a studio or teacher, ask around. Talk to people in your office who have done yoga in the past and see what they liked or disliked about their experience. If you can find someone willing to go with you to a class, all the better—you can get an insider's perspective and see if it feels like a good fit. Also: Always check out studios before taking their classes! Get a feel for how busy it is and check out class schedules (and teachers) online if possible. It’s nice to know what you're getting into! In terms of which types of classes I take on any given day, I always try to mix it up as much as possible.

How can I integrate it into my lifestyle?

• You might be surprised to learn that you can get a full-body workout just by practicing yoga. You don’t have to sign up for a class at a gym or spend hours upon hours in front of your TV; yoga offers many of the same benefits as other forms of exercise while reducing strain on your joints and strengthening muscles. Plus, it’s often much easier to find time in your day to practice yoga than it is to work out with weights or go running, which makes integrating it into your lifestyle easier. The bottom line: if you want an alternative form of exercise that delivers health benefits like increased muscle strength and reduced pain and inflammation, then yes—yoga is good for your eyesight!