If you use the computer or handphone for long hours, or do work that requires you to focus and strain your eyes for long periods, you are most likely to suffer from tired eyes from time to time. Here are some ways you can help yourself to relieve eye strain and eye fatigue.
Self-Massage
Self-massage on energy points known as acupoints around the eye area helps to promote circulation and bring more blood and vital energy to the eye area to relieve eye fatigue. It also relaxes the muscles around the eyes.
Acupoints to use:
- Jing Ming (睛明)
Jing Ming acupoint is located just beside the nose bridge. It lies on the inner edge of the eye socket between the eyebrow and the eyes.
Method: Using the thumb, lightly press on the point in an upward direction to settle on the inner edge of the eye-socket bone. Press for 5 seconds and release. Repeat 3 times. - Si Zhu Kong (丝竹空)
Si Zhu Kong is located at the outer tip of the eyebrow.
Method: Lightly press in the area to locate a slight dent. Putting a finger on the point, massage in circular motion for 5 rounds. Repeat 3 times. - Cheng Qi (承泣)
Cheng Qi acupoint les just below the centre of the eye on the inner edge of the eye-socket bone.
Method: Using the middle finger with the index and fourth fingers closely beside it, press these 3 fingers on the inner edge of the eye socket, with the middle finger on Cheng Qi acupoint. Press gently for 5 seconds and release. Repeat 3 times.
Herbs
Certain herbs are known to benefit the eyes. Here are a few of them.
- Black Chinese wolfberry (Hei Gou Qi黑枸杞)
Black Chinese wolfberry is relatively new in the market compared to the regular Chinese wolfberry, which is also commonly known to benefit the eyes. However Black Chinese wolfberry is much more potent in anthocyanin, vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants compared to regular Chinese wolfberry. It significantly enhances eye health and creates clearer and brighter vision to reduce eyestrain. - Dendrobium stem (Shi Hu石斛)
Dendrobium stem is commonly used to treat dry eyes in traditional Chinese medicine. It reduces eye fatigue by increasing the moisture content of the eyes and enhancing vision. - Over-the-counter herbal prescriptions
Some TCM herbal prescriptions target at improving eye health. They contain synergistic blends of herbs to improve vision, prevent eye diseases and degeneration of eye tissues.
Prevention
The best way to reduce eye strain and eye fatigue is to prevent it from happening. Take regular breaks from staring at screens for too long and take time to look at greeneries if possible. Avoid smoking, alcohol and spices which tend to dry up moisture in the body especially the eyes. Or you can go for regular acupuncture sessions, which can help you address other health issues together too.
(by Tan Shiau Tse, TCM Physician, Copyright® HST Medical Pte Ltd)