Depth perception helps you navigate throughout the day. It allows you to determine the size, speed, distance, etc., of every object.
Depth perception exists right from the time we are infants. Research done reveals that babies who are two months old can perceive depth. Before that, their eye muscles are not well-developed to do so.
Depth perception is also known as stereopsis. Both eyes work in sync to derive the information required to perceive the world around. This ability of the human eye to see and judge the distance, speed, size, length, width, and height of objects is known as depth perception. It allows us to go through life without bumping into objects. It is at play from the moment we open our eyes in the morning right up to the time we close our eyes and fall sleep.
Those with eye problems, viz., lazy eye, i.e., amblyopia, those who are cross-eyed, i.e., strabismus, or those who have an eye injury usually struggle with depth perception. Even those who do not suffer from the above-mentioned problems can suffer from depth perception problems due to age and weakness of eye muscles and nerves. However, with the help of your ophthalmologist or optometrist combined with light and regular eye exercises, these problems can be warded off and reversed.
Eye Exercises to Improve Depth Perception
Sometimes, one eye is weaker than the other. In that case you can perform the eye exercises with one eye. These are certain activities that you can do in the comforts of your home and office. These exercises are simple and hassle-free ways to improve depth perception. They can help you strengthen your vision and relieve your eyes of any strain and stress.
Puzzles for Your Eyes
This is one exercise that you will definitely love, and remind you of your childhood. Get cracking on a word search puzzle, maze, hidden pictures game, or puzzles. These help you exercise your eye muscles and nerves, helping you to improve your depth perception.
Exercise with a Pencil
Sit or stand calmly and look to your furthest left, right, up, and down without moving your head. To focus on something better, use a pencil to focus. Hold a pencil in your right hand and stretch your hand out at shoulder level. Keeping your head straight and without turning your neck, stare at the pencil. As you slowly bring the pencil to the center of your face, move the pencil inwards towards your nose while following the movement of the pencil. Once in front of your face, hold the pencil with your other hand and follow a similar pattern to the right. Do this vertically and diagonally as well.
Exercise with a Flashlight
Ask a family member or friend to place a pattern leaned-up against the wall. Switch off the light and with the help of a flashlight, begin tracing the pattern closely with your eyes using the flashlight. Remember that the pattern has to be wide and tall so that you eyes can trace diagonally, left, right, up, and down.
It is also important that the room is dark in order for your eyes to get accustomed to the darkness and light. It also prevents you from getting distracted by other things in the room and helps your eyes focus better.
Tracking the Room
Sit at a spot in a room which will give you a clear look at the furthest point possible. Simply stare at the spot furthest away from you, and then slowly move your gaze to something slightly closer to you.
Straw and Toothpick
Ask a friend or family member to help you with this exercise. Give them a drinking straw and have them hold it horizontally a few feet away from you, at eye level. Now take a toothpick and try to insert it into the straw hole.
Eye Rolling
Slowly roll your eyes clockwise and then in the counterclockwise direction. Close your eyes for a minute or so, and then look to your furthest left, then to your furthest right, up, and down every time you blink.
Note: You might not see immediate improvement in your depth perception. Keep performing eye exercises, and over a period of time, you will see significant improvement.
Around 80% of the vision problems are avoidable and curable. So why not start taking care of this brilliant, complex, and integral part of your body irrespective of whether you have an eye problem or not? After all prevention is better than cure.
