During the last two decades, there has been a staggering increase in the need for visual aids to improve failing eyesight.
The two main culprits are computers and television.
It's therefore very important to do eye exercises to improve vision.
To relieve stress in and around your eyes, lean on a desk or rest your elbows on your knees.
Close your eyes.
Put the palms of both your hands over your eyes, not too close - you need to be able to blink easily.
This exercise is called 'palming' and it's as simple as that! It might not sound like much but just a few minutes of regular palming will rest the eyes and your mind.
To improve flexibility of the eye muscles, pretend that there is a huge figure-of-eight shape about two metres away from you.
Now imagine the figure is turned over to one side.
Slowly trace the figure with both your eyes - one way and then the other for a few minutes.
When we sit in front of a computer or a TV we don't blink as much as we should.
That split-second time of darkness when we blink reduces eye strain.
So a good exercise is to blink every few seconds for about two minutes.
To improve far and close focusing, sit comfortably, place your thumb about 1ft in front of your eyes and focus closely on it.
Then focus on another object about 20ft away; now focus on your thumb again.
Repeat this action for two to three minutes.
This exercise improves overall vision and will also strengthen eye muscles.
The zoom exercise will improve focus.
Put your arm out with your thumb looking as though you're hitch-hiking.
Focus on the thumb, then move it closer, holding your focus, until it is about 3 inches from your face.
Put the thumb out again and repeat for a few minutes.