eyesight.health

Can you improve your eyesight naturally?

Written by the eyesight.health editorial teamBased on AAO, NEI and Cochrane sourcesLast reviewed: Next review:

Not medical advice. This guide is general information, not medical advice. See an optometrist or ophthalmologist about your eyes. How we write our guides.

In most cases, no. The most common vision problems come from the shape of the eye or changes in its lens. [1] The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says eye exercises and carrots will not improve your vision or remove the need for glasses. [2] What you can do is protect the eyesight you have and get problems found early.

At a glance

Eye exercises
No conclusive evidence that they sharpen uncorrected vision. [3]
Carrots and diet
Vitamin A helps keep eyes healthy, but carrots won't improve vision. [2]
Most common cause of blur
Refractive errors, caused by eye shape or an aging lens. [1]
Simplest fix
Glasses are the simplest and safest way to correct refractive errors. [1]

Why exercises can't fix most blurry vision

Most blurry vision comes from refractive errors. These happen when the eye can't focus light correctly on the retina (the light-sensing layer at the back of the eye). [1]

The National Eye Institute (NEI) lists three causes: [1]

  • the eyeball is too long or too short
  • the cornea (the clear front of the eye) has an unusual shape
  • the lens inside the eye ages

For example, nearsightedness happens when the eyeball grows too long from front to back. Presbyopia (trouble seeing close up with age) happens when the lens gets harder and less flexible. [4] These are physical features of the eye. That is why the usual fixes are glasses, contact lenses or surgery, which change how light is focused. [1]

Myths and facts

  • Myth: Eye exercises can improve your vision. Fact: The AAO says there is no undeniable evidence that eye exercises change uncorrected vision. [3] They do not reduce the need for glasses. They may help some eye-alignment problems, such as convergence insufficiency. [2]
  • Myth: Eating carrots will improve your vision. Fact: Vitamin A helps keep eyes healthy. But carrots won't improve your vision or reduce your need for glasses. [2]
  • Myth: Wearing glasses makes your eyes weaker. Fact: Glasses do not weaken your vision or cause eye disease. [2]
  • Myth: Reading in dim light damages your eyes. Fact: It does not cause damage. Good lighting just makes reading easier and less tiring. [2]
  • Myth: Sitting close to the TV harms your eyes. Fact: It may cause eye strain or headaches, but not damage. A child who often sits very close may be nearsighted, though. [2]
  • Myth: Looking at the sun is good for you. Fact: Sun gazing can permanently damage the retina. [2]

Habits that protect your eyes

No habit will reverse a refractive error. But the AAO lists everyday steps that help keep eyes healthy: [5]

  • Wear sunglasses when you head into the sun, even in winter. [5]
  • Don't smoke. Smoking is linked to many eye diseases, from cataracts to macular degeneration. [5]
  • Eat well. A diet rich in plant-based foods and low in saturated or animal fats is best. [5] The AAO says most Americans can get enough nutrients from food without supplements. [6]
  • Protect your eyes with safety glasses for risky tasks and the right eye protection for sports. [5]
  • Take screen breaks and sit at least an arm's length from the screen. [5]
  • Don't sleep in contact lenses. [5]

Some choices may also lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). NEI lists not smoking, staying active, healthy blood pressure and cholesterol, and eating leafy greens and fish. [7]

What can change your vision

Refractive errors can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery. Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea. [1] An eye exam shows which option suits you.

Two other topics come up often:

  • Children and nearsightedness. Children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to become nearsighted. [4] Some treatments may slow it. See our guide to myopia in children.
  • Eye vitamins. High-dose AREDS formulas helped people who already had intermediate or late AMD. They did not help people with early AMD or no AMD. [8] See our AREDS2 guide.

When to see an eye doctor

Get urgent help now if

  • You suddenly see a lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that drift across your vision) [9]
  • You see flashes of light in one or both eyes [9]
  • A dark shadow or “curtain” appears at the side or in the middle of your vision. These can be signs of retinal detachment, which the National Eye Institute (NEI) calls a medical emergency. Go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away. [9]

In the US, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In other countries, call your local emergency number.

Make a routine appointment if

  • You are having trouble with your vision. NEI advises talking to your eye doctor and getting an eye exam. [1]
  • Your vision gets worse, or your glasses or contacts cause problems. [1]
  • You have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease. The AAO says not to wait for an eye exam. [10]

An optometrist or ophthalmologist can check your eyes and tell you what is right for you.

Common questions

Can eye exercises improve eyesight?

The AAO says there is no conclusive evidence that eye exercises improve uncorrected vision. They may help some eye-alignment problems, so ask an eye doctor first. [3]

Do carrots improve your eyesight?

No. Vitamin A helps keep eyes healthy, but the AAO says carrots will not improve vision or reduce the need for glasses. [2]

Will wearing glasses make my eyes worse?

No. The AAO says glasses do not weaken your vision or cause eye disease. [2]

Can nearsightedness be reversed naturally?

No. The AAO says myopia cannot be reversed, though some treatments may slow it in children. Glasses, contact lenses or surgery can correct it. [11][12]

Sources

  1. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Refractive Errors.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/refractive-errors. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  2. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Common Eye and Vision Myths.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/common-eye-vision-myths-facts. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  3. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Can Eye Exercises Improve My Eyesight?” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/can-eye-exercises-improve-my-eyesight. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  4. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Types of Refractive Errors.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/refractive-errors/types-refractive-errors. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  5. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Perfect Vision? 20 Tips to Keep It That Way.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/tips-to-keep-perfect-vision-2020. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  6. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Fabulous Foods to Boost Eye Health.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/fabulous-foods-your-eyes. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  7. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  8. National Eye Institute (NIH). “AREDS/AREDS2 Frequently Asked Questions.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/aredsareds2-frequently-asked-questions. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  9. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Retinal Detachment.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  10. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Get an Eye Disease Screening by Age 40.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/screening. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  11. American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Myopia Control in Children.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/myopia-control-in-children. Accessed 2026-11-05.
  12. National Eye Institute (NIH). “Nearsightedness (Myopia).” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/nearsightedness-myopia. Accessed 2026-11-05.

Content reviewed against sources listed. Last reviewed . This guide has not been reviewed by a clinician. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections policy.

Not medical advice. This guide is general information and does not replace an eye exam. For any concern about your eyes or vision, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

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