A Tutorial to Eye Exercises for Double Vision
Seeing two of everything could be double the trouble, right?
Imagine trying to go about your daily activities while seeing two of everything.
But the good news is that you can do exercises to improve your double vision (Diplopia), and we will learn about those exercises in this article.
Moving ahead, you will find step-by-step tutorials to perform these eye exercises for double vision.
The York Teaching Hospital recommends performing these exercises 4-5 times a day for three to five minutes each.
But they also suggest consulting the duration and frequency with your doctor for a bit of tailored advice.
Pen-to-nose convergence
A study by the Korean Journal of Ophthalmology supports the efficacy of this exercise in improving convergence insufficiency in patients with double vision.
Convergence insufficiency refers to a condition that affects the way your eyes work together when looking at a nearby object.
The objective of this exercise is for the person to be able to focus on an object comfortably while it is closer to them.
You will need a pen or a similar object to perform this exercise.
- Hold the pen or an object of your choice at arm’s length
- Focus your vision on this object
- Now, slowly bring the object closer to your nose. Try to keep it as one single image
- As soon as your object begins to split into two images, stop moving it
- Focus on your object and try to make them back into one image
- Once you successfully bring the object in one image, move the object even closer to the nose till the image splits
- Focus and repeat the process again until you are unable to refocus the images into one
- Now return the object to its initial position and do the exercise again
Jump convergence
This exercise aims to help a person maintain a single image/vision while shifting focus from nearby objects to further away objects and vice versa.
For this exercise also, you will need a pen or a similar object.
- Hold an object of your choice at arm’s length distance from you
- Find an article/ object/ target in front of you which is about 6 meters away
- Look at the distant target for a few seconds and then at the object in your hands for a few seconds
- Make sure that the image of the object appears one
- Every time you look at the distant target, move your hand a little closer to yourself while still looking at the distance
- Repeat this several times, ensuring that when you switch from the distant target to the object in your hand, the image appears one
- If you are having trouble focusing on the object in your hand, move it a little away from you
- Once it becomes a single image, try moving it closer again
- Repeat it till the object in your hand is about 6cm away from you with a single image
Dot card
This exercise strengthens your eye muscles so that it is able to focus on the dots without doubling the image.
A case report published in the Optometry Reports supports the use of dot card exercises to treat convergence insufficiency, which causes double vision.
For this exercise, you will require a dot card. This card is a piece of paper/ cardboard with a straight line with dots at fixed intervals.
You can get it from your orthoptist or doctor.
- To begin, hold the dot card under your nose. Keep it in a slightly downward position
- Look at the dot furthest away from you with both eyes
- Focus on seeing a single image of the dot
- Once you focus on the dot, the remaining dots will appear to make an ‘A’ shape
- Hold it for a few seconds and then move on to the next dot, maintaining the focus
- As you move your focus on the dots toward your nose, the ‘A’ will turn to look like an ‘X’
- Hold for a few seconds and move to the dot closest to your nose
- Try to focus on forming one image of the dot
- The rest of the dots will now appear to form a ‘V’
- Do not worry if you are not able to get this far, as this part is a little difficult
Stereograms
A stereogram is a card with two incomplete images which can be joined together into one complete image and vice versa.
A review published by the Journal of Ophthalmic Nursing & Technology assures better treatment results with this exercise.
To perform this exercise, you need a stereogram which can be provided to you by your doctor or orthoptist.
- To begin, hold the stereogram (cat card) at your eye level at arm’s length distance
- Hold a pen midway between your face and the card
- Concentrate at the top of the pen. Focus on forming a single image
- The cats on the stereogram will appear to move apart
- The aim is to be able to see three images of the cats while still focusing on the pen
The middle cat should be complete. When you first start the exercise, the middle cat might appear blurry.
With practice, however, the cat should become clearer.
The way the exercise will work will remain the same.
Takeaway
Eye exercises could be a useful tool to improve double vision.
But the extent of improvement will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
Some cases of double vision heal by themselves, while others might require some sort of intervention.
Eye exercises, like dot card exercise or pen-to-nose convergence exercise, are an easy and effective way to help your double vision.
You can do them in the comfort of your home by yourself or with a doctor’s assistance.
Doing these exercises regularly can help you experience significant improvement in your vision and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can eye exercises correct double vision?
Eye exercises can effectively improve Diplopia (double vision), depending on the cause. Working with your eye doctor to identify appropriate exercises and monitor progress is important. In some cases, other treatments, such as prism glasses or surgery, may be necessary to correct Diplopia completely.
What exercises fix double vision?
The exercises which help improve double vision include the pen-to-nose convergence exercise, jump conversion exercise, dot card exercise, and stereograms. The fact that these exercises will fix the double vision depends on the cause of the condition. Consult with an eye doctor for the best advice.
How long does it take for double vision to correct itself?
The length of time it takes for double vision to correct itself will vary depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, double vision may resolve on its own within a few days to weeks. However, in other cases, it may be a more long-term issue that requires treatment.
Can you reverse double vision?
The reversal of double vision depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, it may resolve on its own or with treatment. However, in other cases, it may be a long-term issue that requires ongoing treatment and management. Consult with an eye doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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