The effects of eye exercises on visual function and fine motor skills in presbyopic individuals

The aim of this study was to research the effect of eye exercises on visual function and fine motor skills in presbyopic individuals. This study; consisted of 48 patients. These patients were 29 (60.4%) males and 19 (39.6%) females aged between 40-60 years. The patients were divided into working and control groups with simple random methods. Patients in the study group were included in the eye exercise program. Eye exercise program consists of yogic eye exercises and pencil push-up therapy. Yogic eye exercises consist 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 exercises were performed home-based at least once a day for 12 weeks. All patients were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study. Demographic Information Form, Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, O'Connor Finger Dexterity Test, Nottingham Health Profile and National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire were used in the evaluation. In addition, to these assessments visual acuity, reading speed and head and neck posture were assessed. As a result of the study, the improvement in the study group was observed in the Presbyopia, Addition, Fine Motor Skills, Reading Speed and National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire values of presbyopic individuals (p<0.05). When the smartphone and computer usage increases, presbyopia and adisyon values increase, as well (p<0.05). We conclude that eye exercises slow the progression of presbyopia, improve visual function, increase reading speed and fine motor skills. Comparative and long-term studies are needed in different visual defects.