Does Sound Healing Work for Eye Health?
Apr 19, 2025
As an ancient practice for wellness and self-care, sound healing has been surrounded by various debates and misconceptions. As such, a previous post serves as a closer examination of the scientifically supported mechanisms of sound healing and how these can provide therapeutic benefits and applications.
These unique mechanisms include psychoacoustics, which posits that sound frequencies can create relaxing sensations and boost mental health through stress reduction. Meanwhile, biosonics involves studying how sound can influence biological systems and processes, allowing cells to heal and vibrate at their optimal frequencies.
Given the significant influence of sound healing on physical and mental health, it’s worth exploring whether its therapeutic benefits can apply to a specific health aspect: eye health. People are increasingly prioritising eye health to prevent and manage common eye conditions like eye strain and refractive errors, highlighting the importance of effective practices to incorporate into their lifestyles. Below, we look into the documented eye health benefits of sound healing and how this alternative therapy can complement other eye care tips.
Eye health benefits of sound therapy
Since sound frequencies have been documented to send signals to the brain and synchronise its activity, researchers at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles sought to examine whether sound can stimulate the brain signals associated with the retina, a layer inside the eye that detects light and transmits signals to the brain so the eye can see.
The study, published in the journal BME Frontiers, found that stimulating a blind rat’s eyes with high-frequency sounds can activate a small group of retinal neurons responsible for visual perception. While the study is yet to be tested on humans, the mechanical pressure of sound waves has the potential to be a non-invasive way to help those with visual impairments process images more accurately.
Additionally, other research studies suggest that soothing tunes and frequencies can help relieve eye strain and related symptoms like headaches and fatigue. Sounds can be designed to specifically support the optic nerve and help it relax, as well as reduce inflammation and promote blood circulation in the eye for optimal health and functioning.
However, it must be noted that sound healing is not meant to replace eye care from professionals like optometrists and ophthalmologists. Instead, individuals interested in the eye health benefits of sound therapy can complement this therapeutic approach with other strategies, as explained below.
Protecting your eyes through professional medical care
While sound healing can soothe the optic nerve and help relieve common eye symptoms like strain and fatigue, eye conditions like refractive errors require specific interventions, such as prescription glasses, to correct vision and prevent or delay disease progression.
For men that are diagnosed with refractive conditions like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, they should consider browsing the men’s eyeglasses section on Ray-Ban’s online store, as these particular glasses can be fitted with their exact prescription and delivered with no shipping fees. The frames are available in timeless styles like the square-shaped Wayfarer and browline Clubmaster and are made of lightweight materials like acetate to ensure comfort for the wearer.
However, those with higher prescriptions may require more specialised frames and lenses, which the eyewear brand Minus Eyewear can provide. Minus Eyewear caters to the specific vision needs of high myopes by creating frames optimised for thicker lenses. Unisex options are available for styles like the retro-inspired Richmond Power, which has an acetate frame integrated into a wire front to keep thick lenses secure.
Furthermore, individuals can invest in eye care by getting their eyes tested regularly, at least once every one to two years. Comprehensive eye examinations, which can be scheduled at optical retailers like Vision Express, can monitor visual changes and detect symptoms of severe eye conditions like cataracts for early treatment and management. Ultimately, sound healing can serve as a complementary therapy that manages the eye stress, pain, and discomfort typically experienced by those with vision impairments and eye diseases.
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