At 42, Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan recalls being told something he didn’t expect to hear. His eye doctor reportedly laughed and said, “You can’t reverse your number. The eye is not a muscle; you can’t train it as you do in the gym.”
For someone known for discipline and physical transformation, the idea that effort couldn’t change something felt shocking.
But nearly 10 years later, Roshan shared a surprising update on Instagram.
After spending five days in Washington DC undergoing what he described as intensive eye “muscle” training for four hours a day, he claimed his optical number went down by half.
The post quickly grabbed attention. If true, it challenges a long-held medical belief that adult myopia cannot be reversed without surgery.
So, is this scientifically possible?
CAN EYE EXERCISES REDUCE optical NUMBER?
To get clarity, we asked Dr Aditya Kelkar, Director at NIO Super Speciality Hospital, Pune.
His response is clear and direct:
“It is not possible to reverse myopia by exercise or diet. In adults, after the age of 18, once the eye number stabilises, laser vision correction or Phakic Intraocular Lens (IOL) surgery options can be considered if one doesn’t prefer glasses.”
In simple terms, once the eyeball has fully developed in adulthood, its structure does not change through exercises. Myopia (near-sightedness) usually happens because the eyeball is slightly longer than normal, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of on it.
Exercises cannot shorten the eyeball or permanently alter its shape.
ANOTHER EXPERT WEIGHS IN
Dr Mridula Mehta, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology at Apollo Spectra, Chirag Enclave, adds that whether spectacle number can reduce depends on the underlying cause of the refractive error.
Then insert her quote in slightly tightened newsroom format like this:
“The possibility of reducing spectacle power through exercises depends on the underlying cause of refractive error. In cases of structural myopia, where the eyeball is elongated, exercises cannot reverse these anatomical changes.
Vision therapy may improve eye coordination and reduce digital strain, and it can help if the myopia is due to spasm of the focusing muscle. However, it does not typically eliminate the need for corrective lenses in most adults.”
Then continue with:
She further explains that adults experiencing fluctuating vision should undergo a thorough eye examination to rule out accommodative spasm or lifestyle-related strain.
Evidence-based treatments, regular eye check-ups, screen breaks, outdoor activity, and in some cases, low-dose atropine eye drops or myopia control lenses may help manage progression, but exercises alone are not a universal solution.
WHY THE EYE IS NOT LIKE A GYM MUSCLE
The confusion often comes from the idea that the eye has muscles, which is true.
There are muscles that:
- Move the eyeball
- Help in focusing
- Control coordination between both eyes
But myopia is mainly a structural issue. It is related to the length and shape of the eyeball, not muscle strength.
That’s why doctors say you cannot “train away” optical numbers in adults the way you build biceps in the gym.
THEN HOW COULD A NUMBER REDUCE?
Doctors say small variations in optical number can happen due to:
- Measurement differences
- Dry eyes
- Temporary focusing strain
- Earlier overcorrection
Sometimes, improved eye coordination can make vision feel clearer, but that is different from reversing structural myopia.
Without documented medical reports, it is difficult to confirm what exactly changed in any individual case.
WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN? CAN THEIR NUMBER BE CONTROLLED?
Dr Kelkar explains that while reversing myopia is not possible, slowing its progression in children is achievable.
“In children, one can hope to slow down the progression of myopia by reducing screen time and increasing outdoor activities,” he says.
In selected cases, doctors may recommend:
- Specialised glasses
- Atropine eye drops
These methods do not cure myopia but may slow how quickly it worsens. Any such treatment must be done under medical supervision.
IF NOT EXERCISES, THEN WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
For adults who do not want to wear glasses, doctors typically suggest:
- Laser vision correction (LASIK/SMILE)
- Phakic Intraocular Lens (IOL) surgery
These procedures work by changing how light enters the eye, not by strengthening muscles.
They are surgical solutions, not exercise-based ones.
Hrithik Roshan’s claim has sparked curiosity and hope among many people who wear glasses.
But according to eye specialists, reversing myopia through exercise in adults is not medically possible. Structural changes in the eye require surgical correction, not training.
While eye exercises may improve comfort, reduce strain, or enhance coordination, they do not typically cut the optical number in half.
As inspiring as the actor’s story sounds, experts say when it comes to eyesight, science still draws a firm line between motivation and medical reality.
