Developers’ claims that eye-exercise apps such as SniperSight can help alleviate users’ astigmatism, near-sightedness, farsightedness, eye strain and age-related deterioration have been dismissed by a US ophthalmologist.

Writing in The Conversation, Associate Professor Benjamin Botsford, UMass Chan Medical School, said: “No study to date shows strong evidence that these exercises eliminate the need for glasses or offer any long-term significant benefits. The science simply isn’t there.” He did, however, suggest vision therapy may be recommended for some ocular conditions, including strabismus (which is among SniperSight’s claims) and trouble converging on objects resulting in diplopia. “Ultimately, these conditions are best addressed by your eye doctor and are unrelated to the need for reading or distance glasses,” A/Prof Botsford said.

Citing the ‘Bates method’, named after Dr Horatio Bates, who published The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses in 1920, SniperSight’s developers describe it as “an app for all refractory troubles”. Sir Paul McCartney famously credits his eye yoga regime for not needing glasses or contact lenses at 82 years old. In its September 2024 press release, SniperSight also said the US$2.99 (NZ$5.09) screen-based app can “help alleviate eye strain and distress caused by hours spent staring at screens”.

A 2005 paper by Christchurch’s Dr John Rawstron et al reviewed the applicability and efficacy of eye exercises. One conclusion, that visual training may be useful in treating convergence insufficiency, reflected A/Prof Botsford’s advice, and noted there is less robust evidence for it supporting the development of fine stereoscopic skills and improving visual field remnants after brain damage. But overall, authors said as yet there is “no clear scientific evidence published in the mainstream literature supporting the use of eye exercises in the remainder of the areas reviewed (including visual acuity) and their use therefore remains controversial”.

Editor’s note: Health Navigator Charitable Trust’s NZ Health App Library contains descriptions and reviews of health-related apps for patient and practitioner use.