With the increasing use of electronic devices, many people are prone to experiencing prolonged eye strain and need effective eye care and protection.
8 Key Exercises for Eye Care
Each of the following exercises is designed to serve a specific purpose.1. Massaging the Gallbladder 20 (Fengchi, GB20) Acupoints
Stimulating the gallbladder 20 (fengchi) acupoints enhances blood flow through the vertebral arteries, improving blood circulation to the eyes. This technique can effectively reduce symptoms such as dry eyes, visual fatigue, and a sensation of pressure or discomfort in the eyes.These acupoints are located at the base of the skull, just below the occipital bone and within the hairline. To locate them, place your fingers at the back of your neck and slide them upward along either side of the spine.
When your fingers reach the base of the skull and naturally come to a stop, you will feel a slight hollow on each side of your neck muscles. These hollows mark the location of the acupoints.
2. Combing the Scalp With Fingers
This exercise activates key meridians (energy pathways) in the head and promotes the circulation of qi (vital energy) and blood to the scalp and facial area. Combing the scalp helps to prepare the body for the eye care exercises that follow.3. Training Monocular Focus Using Small Text
This exercise primarily trains the ciliary muscles, which control the eye’s ability to focus.4. Rotating Closed Eyes
Rotating the eyes with the eyelids closed helps to relieve stiffness and fatigue in the six muscles around the eyes. This exercise is particularly beneficial after prolonged visual tasks, such as reading or using screens for an extended period of time.5. Squeezing and Releasing
Squeezing and releasing the eyes stimulates tear gland activity, making this exercise particularly beneficial for people with dry eyes. It also helps to relax the eye muscles and reduces pressure around the eyeball, which may support clearer vision and contribute to lowering intraocular pressure, especially in patients with glaucoma.6. Applying Gentle Acupressure Around the Eye Sockets
This exercise helps to release tension around the eyes and enhances blood flow in the eye socket area, making it beneficial after prolonged visual tasks.According to traditional Chinese medicine, the area around the sockets contains the “eye bagua”—a set of eight acupoints believed to correspond to various internal organs. Gentle stimulation of these points supports eye health and helps to regulate the function of the body’s internal systems.

7. Massaging 5 Key Acupoints
This routine involves massaging five key acupoints around the eyes. It relieves fatigue and pressure, then nourishes and strengthens the area—promoting better eye health.The following are the locations of each targeted acupoint:
The acupoint container of tears (chengqi) is located just below the eye socket and is directly aligned with the center of the pupil. When you gently press this area, you will notice a slight depression—this is the precise location of the point. It is the starting point of the stomach meridian of foot-yangming, which is rich in both qi and blood. Massaging this acupoint can help improve qi and blood circulation in the eyes.
The acupoint clear vision (jingming) is located at the inner corner of the eye, near the bony edge of the inner canthus. It marks the starting point of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang and is regarded as one of the most important acupoints for addressing eye-related conditions. Stimulating this acupoint is believed to support clearer vision and enhance eye brightness.
Located along the upper inner rim of the eye socket, the supratrochlear notch can be felt as a small depression. It is typically found above the center of the eyebrow, approximately midway between the jade eye (yuyao) and clear vision acupoints. This notch marks the passage of the supratrochlear nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic division (V1) of the trigeminal nerve. Stimulating this acupoint can activate the ophthalmic nerve and promote qi and blood circulation in the areas it innervates, thereby supporting overall eye health.
The acupoint jade eye (yuyao) is located directly above the pupil, at the midpoint of the eyebrow. It is situated near the supraorbital foramen, where the supraorbital nerve—a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve—passes through.
Since the supraorbital nerve is part of the ophthalmic nerve network, stimulating this acupoint can help to activate nerve function and promote the circulation of qi and blood in the surrounding area. This acupoint is traditionally used to treat conditions such as acute conjunctivitis, ptosis (drooping eyelid), nearsightedness (myopia), and eye redness and swelling.
The acupoint pupil crevice (tongziliao) is located in a small depression about a half inch lateral to the outer corner of the eye. It marks the starting point of the gallbladder meridian of foot-shaoyang. Massaging this acupoint promotes the circulation of qi and blood along the outer eye area and helps to relieve tension in the nerves on both sides of the head.
- Locate the container of tears acupoint, which is just below the eye socket and directly aligned with the center of the pupil. Gently massage this point in a circular motion.
- Next, use your index fingers to locate the clear vision acupoint, found at the inner corner of the eye near the bony edge of the inner canthus. Gently massage this point in a circular motion.
- Then, find the supratrochlear notch acupoint, located along the upper inner rim of the eye socket. Gently massage this point in a circular motion.
- Locate the jade eye acupoint, positioned directly above the pupil at the midpoint of the eyebrow. Gently massage this point in a circular motion.
- Finally, find the pupil crevice acupoint, which is located in a small depression about a half inch to the side of the outer corner of the eye. Gently massage this point in a circular motion.
Guidelines for Effective Massage
Use Gentle, Slow PressureMany people believe that applying stronger pressure to acupoints yields better results, especially when the sensation is painful. However, for acupoints around the eyes, firm pressure can actually do more harm than good. In contrast, a gentle, slow massage is not only safer for this sensitive region, but also tends to be more effective.
When the eyes feel sore, dry, or strained, the surrounding nerves and blood vessels are often in a contracted and tense state. Applying strong pressure in this condition can cause pain and further tighten the nerves and vessels, worsening circulation around the eyes.
For this reason, it is advisable to follow the traditional principle of “using softness to overcome tension.” When you apply light, deliberate pressure to the eyes, they feel more relaxed and comfortable. For some people, this approach can even promote the flow of qi and blood throughout the body, creating a sense of overall ease and well-being.
When performing the massage, your fingertips should lightly rest on the eyelids, allowing the skin to glide gently over the bone underneath. The pressure applied should be no more than half the force required to press down to the bone—avoid pressing deeply into the tissue.
A moderate level of pressure is sufficient to stimulate the flow of qi and blood without increasing tension in the eye area. The circular massage motion should be kept within a small, controlled range—no more than 0.2 inches in diameter.
During the massage, follow the principle of “using intention, not force.” Focus your awareness on the tips of your fingers, allowing the movements to remain light, gentle, and controlled.
8. Using the Palming Technique for Eye Relaxation
The palming technique was developed more than a century ago by Dr. William Bates, an ophthalmologist. Known for its ability to deeply relax the eyes and support overall eye health, this simple yet effective method is suitable for a variety of eye-related concerns. It is easy to perform and ideal for daily eye care.The palming method activates the body’s natural healing response through deep, full-body relaxation.
- Rub your palms together about 20 times until they feel warm. Cup your hands over your eyes, positioning the center of your palms directly above them, and point your fingers .
- Cross your hands, overlapping your fingers lightly on the bridge of your nose. This ensures no light will enter from the sides.
- Rest your elbows on the tabletop and lean forward slightly, allowing your body to relax.
- Breathe deeply and naturally.
- Bring your awareness to each part of the body, from your head down through your neck, shoulders, arms, back, waist, hips, legs, and ankles—releasing tension from top to bottom.
Tips for Performing the Palming Technique
Recommended DurationEach session should last at least five minutes, with 10 to 15 minutes being ideal for the best results.
The key to this technique lies not in the warmth of the hands, but in the relaxation process that allows energy from the palms to flow into the eyes. For this reason, longer palming sessions are more effective than shorter ones.
When first practicing the palming technique, many people notice that even with their eyes closed, some light remains visible in their field of vision. This suggests that the eyes have not yet fully relaxed. As relaxation deepens, the visual field gradually darkens—a sign that the body has entered a fully relaxed state.