In vision therapy an individual is taught to improve binocular function of their eyes through exercise.  Exercises done properly and regularly can permanently improve neurological function between the eyes and the brain.  Some individuals that may benefit from vision therapy include those that have double vision, a lazy eye (including strabismus and amblyopia), poor reading ability, poor reading retention, headaches, and patients that are involved in athletics.  Vision therapy is particularly popular in children since their neurological systems are still developing and it is easier for the doctor to influence permanent change.  Most everyone though would benefit from some improved visual function.  At Hamilton Family Eyecare Dr Hamilton includes near point testing in his comprehensive examinations.   If you suspect that you or your child has a binocular dysfunction schedule an appointment Dr Hamilton today so that he might look for it.  Listed below are some basic vision therapy exercises. 

Brock String
Place 3 beads on a 3-4 ft. long string.  These beads should be placed evenly apart and the string is to be tied to handle/door knob.  Place the string next to your nose (touching the end of the nose).  When you look at the string you should see 2 “strings” near the nose.  The 2 “strings” will form a “Y” near the nose.  With your eyes you should be able to move this “Y” forward and back by changing your point of focus.  Exercise the eyes by taking a full minute to move the “Y” in the string from the tip of the nose all they way to where the string connects to the wall.  Then, slowly make the “Y” move from the wall to the nose.  Do this 3-4 times.  Also you may exercise the eyes by looking at the beads.  The “strings” should form a “Y” at the bead.  Use your eyes to “jump” from one bead to the next.  Carefully observe if the “Y” is created in front, behind, or directly on the bead.  The “Y” should form directly on the bead.  If it is in front or behind the bead as you change your gaze from bead to bead practice making it cross right at the bead.  Do this until you can consistently do it correctly.

Accommodative Rock
Create 12x12 card using 12 point font letters.  The letters should be placed randomly, 12 horizontally and 12 vertically.  Also make an 8.5 x 11 sheet of letters with 12 random letters across and 12 random letters up and down, using a larger font.  To do the exercise cover one eye and place the 12x12 card as close to the eye as possible.  Hang the 12x12 sheet on the wall at least 10 ft away.  Read 3 letters out loud from the card.  Then read 3 letters on the sheet of paper out loud.  Continue to “rock” near and far until the cards are completed.  It is important to hold the near card as close to the eye as possible.  After completing this exercise one time switch eyes and repeat.  It may be necessary to change the letters on the cards from time to time to avoid memorizing them.  It may be helpful to do the exercise from left to right, right to left, top to bottom, and bottom to top to avoid memorization.

Pencil Push-ups
Place a pencil in one hand at arms length from the eyes.  Slowly bring the pencil closer to the eyes.  As the pencil gets closer to the nose the eyes should be turning inward in order to watch it.  When the pencil tip nears the nose it will be very difficult to keep the pencil tip single and clear.  Practice keeping the pencil tip single until it touches the nose.  When the pencil tip appears to become double stop and slowly begin moving it away from the nose.  As the pencil moves further away from the eye it will become single again.  The goal is for the pencil to become single as close to the nose as possible.  Do this exercise slowly 15-20 times daily.