Vision is one of the most important senses of the human body. For example, our eyes are the only way to interpret nonverbal communication in humans and animals. Without vision, paintings, photos, and other artwork would have little meaning. In fact, humans dedicate close to 2/3 of the brain to eyesight. It makes sense that you should practice regular eye care to keep your eyes healthy. So how can you make sure your eyes stay in good shape?

A great resource for regular eye care is right at your fingertips.  Take a look at these 5 free apps for your Android phone or tablet.  See for yourself how your Android device can help you take better care of your eyes:

Eye Test – Eye Exam

This app offers a free and simple way to test your vision with your Android device.  You can use the app with or without eye glasses or contact lenses.  Experts in the field of ophthalmology designed the tests used in the app. Eye Test helps you check for some of the most common issues seen in vision centers, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The app also helps you detect blindness and color perception disturbances, cataracts, macular degeneration, and more. Of course, you’ll still want to visit you local vision center on a regular basis.
Get the app here

Eye Exercises – Eye Care Plus

This one of the top eye care exercise apps for Android devices. It offers over 50 training exercises in 10 exercise categories. You can create your own daily training plan, or use one of 7 per-designed plans.  The app works with you, and it adjusts your eye exercises based on your performance.   It even comes with a training calendar and support to help keep you motivated. Over time, these eye care exercises can help improve common eye problems. With Eye Care Plus eye exercises, you can improve your eye health no matter where you are.
Get the app here

Eye Trainer – 12 Eye Exercises

The Eye Trainer can improve your vision and preserve your eye health in just a few minutes every day. If your eyes feel strained, you can help them feel refreshed with a few simply exercises. You can even use them before an eye or contact lens exam to help improve your results! The developers designed the app to be user-friendly.  It only takes a single tap to start training.  The app will guide you through the rest by voice and picture tutorials. If you need to interrupt your eye care exercises, you can pause them at any time, and return to them later.
Get the app here

Bluelight Filter – Eye Care

The blue light emitted by phone screens is a common cause of eye strain. Constant eye strain can lead to blurry vision, eye fatigue, headaches, back and neck pain, and more. This app helps to reduce eye strain by reducing the amount of blue light our eyes receive from our Android devices.  You can choose from 5 different filter colors, and adjust each filter’s strength. You can access the settings from the status bar, which makes it easy to use. Best of all, the app is free so you can try it for yourself and see if it helps reduce your eye strain.
Get the app here

Hit It!

Because eye care doesn’t have to be boring! Hit It! is a game that is all about speed and quick fingers. All you have to do is tap on the circles that appear, as fast as possible. The faster you tap them, the more points you’ll get. But if you miss too many, it’s game over! This app not only helps to improve hand-eye coordination, but also eye-motor reflex skills. It’s fun to try to beat your high score. As a bonus, by using the app, you are also contributing to research about Android buttons and visual cues. Plus, for a free game, it makes for a fun 5-minute diversion and a quick eye care exercise when you need one.
Get the app here

Not a Substitute for Your Optometrist

Apps like these make regular eye care easier than ever. Vision is the sense most people fear losing, and for good reason. These free apps not only let you regularly test your eyes, but also help keep them healthy with regular exercise. It’s still a good idea to visit your local optometrist for regular vision center checkups. If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, visit Hoff Optometry & Eyewear in Venice Beach for expert optometry services, and shop from their beautifully curated collection of eyeglasses frames.