Is it really possible to improve your vision naturally? From outdated ‘eye exercise programs’ to the latest advancements in technology, this article breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and where vision correction is headed next.

Starting in the early 1900s, newspapers ran ads for eye exercises that could improve your vision. Some ads even claimed that the exercises would eliminate the need for glasses.

In 2006, the state of Iowa filed a lawsuit against the See Clearly Method1, a program that left customers feeling upset when their vision didn’t improve.

To date, no eye exercise programs have been successful in improving vision. Here’s why—they don’t take into account how the eye actually works. Eye doctors base treatments on the shape of the eye itself, not on muscle function—which the exercises focus on.

Today, procedures like laser eye surgery can improve your vision. But, if you don’t want surgery, the question is: can eyesight improve naturally?

Nutrition and Eye Health

While eye exercises have not been shown to improve vision, a well-balanced diet can help keep your eyes healthy. In 2013, a study from the National Eye Institute2 looked into the role of nutrients in preventing age-related eye diseases. Participants with early signs of macular degeneration (AMD) took supplements of lutein and zeaxanthin and saw that the progression of their disease was slowed.

Developments in Vision Correction

Technological breakthroughs are taking vision correction to amazing new heights. Reports by the American Optometric
Association show some of the current developments:

Stem Cells

Placing stem cells3 in the eye may help patients with eye-related nerve conditions. These cells have the potential to regrow nerve tissue lost to diseases like Stargardt Disease and glaucoma.

Low Vision Video Glasses

Patients with glasses-mounted magnifiers or miniature telescopes may soon benefit from video magnification4. There is now a special type of glasses that can place a simplified video image over the wearer’s vision. Though the glasses can’t replace lost vision, they can give the wearer a better sense of their surroundings.

Antimicrobial-Coated Contact Lenses

Eye infections are rare—but when they do happen, they can have serious consequences for contact lens wearers. To help, a nontoxic coating that minimizes the presence of bacteria is currently being explored5. The coating has great potential due to the reduced risk of infection and inflammation.

Ask your Vistar eye doctor about vision correction today—we’ll help you find the right treatment path for you!