Effects of yogic eye exercises on eye fatigue in undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the effects of yogic eye exercises on eye fatigue in undergraduate nursing students. [Subjects and Methods] The study used a pretest-posttest design with a non-equivalent control group. Forty undergraduate nursing students were selected by convenience sampling, with 20 assigned to an exercise group and 20 assigned to a control group. The yogic eye exercise intervention was performed for 60 minutes, two days a week for 8 weeks. It consisted of 8 steps: palming, blinking, sideways viewing, front and sideways viewing, rotational viewing, up and down viewing, preliminary nose tip gazing, and near and distant viewing. Eye fatigue was measured using a questionnaire for evaluating ocular fatigue. [Results] The exercise-group measurements revealed a significantly decreased eye-fatigue score compared with that of the control group. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that yogic eye exercises could reduce the eye fatigue score in undergraduate nursing students.

Literature Review: Yoga Eye Exercise Effect on Visual Acuity

“…It trained body posture (yoga asana), regular breathing exercises (pranayama), joint and visual cleansing exercise, relaxation and meditation. [12], [13], [17] Yoga has been known can improve physical and mental health by influencing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. [12] Some yoga technique like Pranayama, Trataka, and Jala Neti has been suggested to improve vision.…”

“…[12], [13], [17] Yoga has been known can improve physical and mental health by influencing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. [12] Some yoga technique like Pranayama, Trataka, and Jala Neti has been suggested to improve vision. [14] Kapalbhati Pranayama enhances fine motor skill and visual discrimination.…”

“…Yoga strengthens and prevents the strain of all the extraocular muscles. [12], [13] Extraocular muscles need to be adjusted, strengthened, stretched and rested in order to maintain focus accurately and clearly. When the body relaxed, muscles became soften and relax so it can return to its normal position and move freely.…”

“…[13] According to research conducted by Kim, to undergraduate nurses that practiced yoga for 8 weeks, two times daily showed a reduction in extraocular fatigue. [12] Bansal conducted a clinical trial research on 60 myopia patient (-6.00 D) aged between 8 to 30 years old. Each patients had accompanying symptoms as blur distance vision, difficult to change focus from far to near and vice versa, headache, eye pain, watery, strain and heavy eye.…”

“…[8] This condition is aggravated by pain and strain due to seeing digital screen or computer. [8], [12] Strain and fatigue should be downgraded to increase vision. It happens by doing eye education, regular exercise, and yoga technique to relax the extraocular muscles and mind so the extraocular eye muscles are trained to see more focus.…”