Below is our Eye Tracking Exercises Video series for brain rehabilitation …
Video 1: Smooth Pursuits Vertical and Horizontal (easiest)
If you have prescription lenses, you should have the patient wear them. Hold visual target (eg. popsicle stick with letter or shape drawn on the end that can be easily kept in focus) with arm fully outstretched. Keep the target in focus, and move target in horizontal plane from left-to-right or right-to-left, slowly back and forth. Do not push beyond the point where there is significant visual strain or discomfort, or beyond the point where you can no longer maintain focus on the target (though keep in mind that mild visual strain and soreness is normal, and should settle down after a brief period of rest after the exercise). Repeat in vertical plane, up and down (turn target sideways). Repeat in diagonal planes as tolerated.
Video 2: Smooth Pursuit Circles (progression from normal smooth pursuits)
If you have prescription lenses, you should have the patient wear them. Hold visual target (eg. popsicle stick with letter or shape drawn on the end that can be easily kept in focus) with arm fully outstretched. Keep the target in focus, and move target in circles clockwise slowly. Do not push beyond the point where there is significant visual strain or discomfort, or beyond the point where you can no longer maintain focus on the target (though keep in mind that mild visual strain and soreness is normal, and should settle down after a brief period of rest after the exercise). Repeat with counterclockwise circles.
Video 3: Saccades Vertical and Horizontal (easiest)
Hold two targets spread out vertically roughly two feet apart. Stabilize head and quickly jump your eyes up and down between the two targets. This exercise can be completed one eye at a time by cupping one eye with your hand then repeating with the opposite eye covered, or with both eyes together, depending on the individual. A metronome can be used to pace the exercise – increase the speed of eye movements to increase difficulty. Increase difficulty further by moving the targets farther apart. Perform in the horizontal plane, side to side.
Video 4: Ladder Saccades (progression from vertical and horizontal saccades)
Evenly space 5-12 targets (eg. sticky notes with letters or numbers) along each side (left and right) of a door frame (or against a wall at a similar distance). Stand about 5 feet from the targets. Use quick eye movements to jump from target-to-target in a zig-zag pattern from top to bottom, then bottom to top. For instance, begin at the highest target on the left-hand side, and then jump your eyes to the highest target on the right-hand side. From there, move to the second target down on the left-hand side, then the second target down on the right- hand side- completing the pattern to the bottom. Work your way back up in a similar manner. Use a metronome to pace the exercise and increase your speed to increase difficulty.
Video 5: Convergence Pencil Push Up
Holding a pencil/pen or similar target, slowly move object from arms length toward your nose. Focus on the tip of the pen, eraser, or print displayed on target. Continue to move target toward nose until double vision occurs. At this point, move the target back slightly until the double vision resolves. Hold the target in place for a few seconds and repeat exercise. Work on improving this threshold by achieving a closer distance from your nose each time (as able).
Video 6: Convergence Pencil Push Up with Balance Challenge (progression from pencil push up)
Holding a pencil/pen or similar target, slowly move object from arms length toward your nose. Focus on the tip of the pen, eraser, or print displayed on target. Continue to move target toward nose until double vision occurs. At this point, move the target back slightly until the double vision resolves. Hold the target in place for a few seconds and repeat exercise. Work on improving this threshold by achieving a closer distance from your nose each time (as able). Make this harder by doing it in standing with feet together, split stance (standing with one foot in front of the other) or on 1 foot.
Video 7: Vestibulo-occular (VOR 1) Rraining
Hold a target out at arms length. Maintain fixation on the target with horizontal head turns at a prescribed metronome pace. Repeat for vertical/ horizontal head movement. To increase difficulty progress from seated to standing.
Video 8: VOR 1 with Walking (progression from VOR 1 training)
Place target on wall across the room (large enough so that you are able to maintain focus on the target). Maintain visual fixation on the target with horizontal or vertical head movements at a prescribed metronome pace. Walk slowly toward to the target until you are close enough to touch it. To add a challenge, walk forward and then walk slowly backward to your starting point. Focus on keeping pace with your head movements.
Video 9: VOR 1 with Visual Challenge (progression from VOR 1 with walking)
Hold a target with 14pt font with both hands at arms length directly in front of you. Pivot at your waist from side-to-side so that your head, eyes, and torso move together in a 170-degree arc. Maintain focus on the target at all times. Use a metronome to pace the exercise at the prescribed bpm (one beat for ever 170-degree arc). Rest until any symptom aggravation or dizziness subsides before beginning the next set.
Video 10: Ball Toss (balance challenge)
Use a small ball (eg. tennis ball) for this exercise. Stand in front of your partner with your feet planted, facing forward. Turn to the right, moving head and eyes, twisting from the waist while your partner tosses you the tennis ball. Without moving your feet, turn to the left moving head and eyes, to toss the ball back to your partner. Repeat turning to right to catch the ball and left to pass ball back, for prescribed repetitions or duration. Repeat in opposite direction.
For your convenience, you can also watch our Eye Tracking Exercises on YouTube: