Free Eye Exercises

Did you know that you can exercise your eyes to naturally improve your vision? It’s true! Just like you might hit the gym for some bench presses and weighted squats, you can do some simple and easy exercises to strengthen your eyes and rebuild your vision.

If you want to preserve your vision for years to come, it’s important to add eye exercises to your daily routine. A great way to strengthen your vision is by practicing the 3 Cups Exercise. Follow the instructions below to learn how to complete this exercise.

Supplies Needed: A pen or pencil

Time Needed to Complete the Exercise: 4 minutes

#3 – 3 CUPS

Step 1: Look at the Image

Refer to the image above labeled “#3 – 3 CUPS.” (You can also click here to print the diagram.)

Step 2: Position Yourself

Sit relaxed and adjust your chair so that you are 12 to 24 inches from the computer monitor at eye level. If the image is not perfectly clear to you, that’s all right, as long as you can make out the image.

Step 3: Position the Pen

Hold the pen vertically between the two circles approximately 1 inch from the screen. The top of the pen should be at the same level as the image.

Step 4: Move the Pen

Focus on the top of the pen as you slowly bring it toward your face. (Refer to Figure 3.2 below.) As you bring the pen closer to your face you will notice the two circles appear to become three circles. When it appears that the three circles are all the same shape and proportion, stop moving the pen.

Helpful Tips:

#1: If you have trouble creating the third circle, move closer or farther from the monitor. Also, your eyes may have become tired, so briefly look away or perform the Distant Night eye exercise to refresh your eyes.

#2: If you see four circles, focus closer to the tip of your nose. Bring the pen closer to your face and keep your eyes focused on it. This should transform the four circles into three. Another option is to move a few inches farther from the monitor.

Step 5: Shift Your Focus

Try to shift your focus from the pen to the center circle. This may be difficult and could take a few days to master. It’s pretty normal if you cannot focus on the center circle when you first start performing this eye exercise.

Helpful Tip:

If you can see the center circle but have trouble focusing on it without the pen, try focusing on the top of the pen, then slowly look over it at the center circle. Keep going back and forth between the two until you are able to focus on the center circle without the pen.

Step 6: Move the Pen Again

Once you can focus on the center circle, move your pen away while maintaining your focus. Try to see the center circle as clearly as possible. As you increase your focus you will notice that the center circle becomes three-dimensional. It will look as if you were peering down into a Styrofoam cup. (Refer to Figure 3.3 below.)

Step 7: Create Three Circles

Your final goal for Level 1 is to look at the two circles and create the three circles, the center one appearing three-dimensional, without using your pen. Once you can easily achieve this, proceed to level 2a by signing up below.

And if you have any difficulties with this free eye exercise…

There’s troubleshooting tips like these to help you along the way…

Helpful Tip #1: If you have trouble creating the third circle.

Move closer or farther from the monitor. Also, your eyes may have become tired very quickly, so briefly look away or perform the Distant Night eye exercise to refresh your eyes.

Helpful Tip #2: If you see four circles.

Focus closer to the tip of your nose. Bring the pen closer to your face and keep your eyes focused on it. This should transform the four circles into three. Another option is to move a few inches farther from the monitor.

Helpful Tip #3: If you cannot focus on the center circle.

If you can see the center circle but have trouble focusing on it without the pen, be assured that this is normal when you’re first performing this eye exercise. Focus on the top of the pen, then slowly look over it at the center circle. Keep going back and forth between the two until you are able to focus on the center circle without the pen.