The eyes are surrounded by a muscle called the orbicularis occuli. When you squint in strong sunlight or close your eyes tightly, you are using this muscle.

As the muscles becomes weak and flaccid, the eyes can start to look droopy, crows feet can form at the edge of each eye and eye bags can appear.

The following three exercises help to tone the side parts of the eye muscle in isolation, for a more alert, awake and bright-eyed expression.

Place the index finger of each hand at the outer edge of the lower eye socket. Place the middle finger at the outer edge of the upper eye socket, just below the outer eyebrow.

Both fingers should form a horizontal V at right angles to your face. Press the fingers of each hand gently against the bone of the outer eye socket, and provide resistance by gently separating your fingers.

Now slowly try to squint, using the outer eye muscle only, against the resistance of your fingers gently pushing apart. Do not shut your eyes, keep them open and looking straight ahead.

If you can shut them, you are not providing enough resistance with your fingers. Hold for up to a slow count of 30, then slowly relax the tension. Do this once a day.

As the muscles develop, you should feel strong tension between the upper outer and lower outer eye socket.