Does Hiking Improve Eye Sight?

imported
#1

I’ve been on the computer way too much lately and it’s bad for my eyes, and I’m starting to need glasses. I’ve read a little bit about methods to improve eye sight and it basically includes doing things like rubbing your eyes, then closing them and resting them, then opening them and looking into the distance. When you’re hiking you’re always looking into the distance and you’re eyes are relaxed, this seems like the type of thing that is good for eyes. I’m hoping that my AT hike will improve my eye sight. Comments?

danny

danny

#2

Sorry danny, can’t comment on that, print is too small for my weary eyes.

zammy

#3

Hiking will improve everything that is wrong with you before you start your hike…Of coarse your hike will cause a another whole set of problems.:lol

Grampie

#4

After weeks of hiking I found that when I got to town I could no longer read the small print on the back of my calling card and would have to have someone read the phone number and access code on the back to me so I could make a call. Normally I have no trouble with thing up close its distances I have problems with. Or maybe I’m just getting old.

Big B

#5

“When you’re hiking you’re always looking into the distance and you’re eyes are relaxed” — when hiking,your eyes are usually looking down at the trail, 2-3 ft in front of your feet, watching out for what your they are going to land on.

pigpen

#6

After two months on the trail I no longer need my reading glasses. Unfortunately after two months back I need them again. We evolved looking both close and at distances, now we don’t look much at all.

Bluejaylafey

#7

Hiking is good for you physically, helps lower weight, increases physical fitness, etc. etc…so there is some benefit to the eyes also.

It does like Grampie said create another whole set of problems-----that is if you don’t do it right----too much, too heavy, too soon, too fast, too many miles, etc.

The lenses in our eyes become less fexible as we age, so we start having problems seeing things up close and focusing on them in our 30’s and 40’s.

Don’t think reading or computer work or any other kind of close in work requiring eyes to be focused is bad for the eyes and causes them to go bad, that is if the work is done right. Glare is a problem. Take breaks, every 15 minutes or so, look away, etc.

The lenses in the eyes focus using muscles to help them adjust for seeing things in close and things farther out. So it seems logical that if you exercise these muscles by looking close in, then looking farther out----that these muscles will become strongers and your eyes will be able to better focus on things. Hence the looking at your computer, then looking away thing, etc. Hope this helps.

See you out there.:cheers

Maintain

#8

How old are you, Danny? According to my optometrist, the lenses in our eyes start to harden when we hit our late 30s. This causes the muscles in our eyes to have to work harder to focus on things close up. It hit me at about age 38. If I want to read in my tent at night, I have to pack my reading glasses. Your eyes will probably feel better out on the trail, but that’s because you won’t be straining them to read small print as much–unless of course you’re going to be journaling every night. :slight_smile:

Ardsgaine

#9

After 8 years of section hiking, my eyesight has become much better! Of course, that’s because I couldn’t see anything last year, and had cataract surgery. Last September I hiked for the first time without glasses. I’m not sure I like the wind blowing in my eyes!
Too much sunshine is bad for the eyes. Hiking is great exercise and is good for all sorts of things, but it will not improve your vision.

Harry Dolphin

#10

I’m just 18, but when I look at my computer I really glare, I’ve been trying to give my eyes breaks and look away but I can’t help myself. I play a lot of poker online and I want to give my eyes a rest, but then I’d have to sit out and miss hands! Also, it doesn’t help that I changed my screen resolution so everything is very small so I could fit multiple poker tables onto the screen at once :slight_smile:

danny

danny

#11

I glare at my computer a lot too. :wink:

Well, you’re too young to just need reading glasses, I think. What you probaby need is six months in the woods, or maybe just a deck of cards and some real live friends to play poker with. :slight_smile:

Ardsgaine

#12

After I received my Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue this year I noticed my eyesight improved dramatically…give this a try:tongue

Freakazoid

#13

I thought that it would make you go blind!

Big B

#14

I’m glaring at my computer right now.

And it’s glaring back.

…Frickin’ computer…

Whoa