Many of those who have experienced a stroke suffer from vision problems following the event.
There are many kinds of vision problems after stroke, and if you suffer from severe visual deficits, it’s best to work with a professional.
However, if you struggle with impaired eye movement control (which can present as blurry vision, double vision, or difficulty focusing eyes), then these eye exercises can help. They will help you rewire the brain to control the 6 muscles that control your eye.
Never do anything that hurts, and start slowly. Below are the exercises to try.
1. Slow Blinks
Sometimes stroke patients don’t blink because they have lost the involuntary movement. To help encourage the body to start blinking again, practice slow blinks daily.
Simply breathe in and close both eyelids, and breathe out while you open your eyelids. If you don’t have control of your eyelids, then gently use your finger to assist your eyelids.
Repeat 10 times.
2. Clock Rotations
Next, fix your gaze straight ahead. Then, look up at 12 o’clock with your eyes (without moving your head) and feel a gentle stretch in your eye muscles. Then, breathe out and return to a relaxed forward gaze.
Then, breathe in and look at your 1 o’clock. Repeat this all the way around so that you do 12 repetitions total.
This helps retrain the 6 eye muscles that control your eye while improving blood flow and eye health.
3. Near/Far Focusing
Next, hold your finger out in front of you, about arm’s length away. Breathe in while looking at your finger, then breathe out while you gaze into the distance past your finger.
Switch between focusing on your finger and focusing on the distance a total of 12 times.
4. “Tromboning”
With your eyes still focused on your finger extended in front of you, start to gently bring your finger in close to your face. Breathe in as you remain focused on your finger as you bring it closer and closer.
Then, breathe out and begin to move your finger away. This movement should feel like you’re pumping a trombone back and forth, slowly. Repeat 5 times.
5. Squeeze Blinks
Now that you’re halfway through, let’s give your eyes a little break. Close your eyelids and gently squeeze them shut.
Do NOT squeeze so hard that it hurts. You simply want to gently stimulate your eyes.
Squeeze for half a second, then relax. Squeeze, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
6. Pencil Exercises
Start by taking a pencil and holding it about 18 inches from your face at eye level. Then, with your eyes focused on the pencil, slowly move it from left to right as far as you can see without moving your head.
Return to center and then move the pencil up and down as far as you can see – again, making sure to avoid moving your head. Repeat this 5 times in both directions.
7. Peripheral Vision Stimulation
If you have a caregiver or friend around, have them help you with this peripheral vision exercise.
Give your caregiver two pencils and have him/her hold them on both sides of your face. Look straight ahead and make sure that you can see both of the pencils in your peripheral vision.
Then, have your assistant move one pencil slightly closer to you and one further away. Your only job is to guess which is closer. Do this 10 times, or until you’re bored.
8. Homemade Letter Searches
Similar to a word search, have a friend write down 20 random letters in a single line. Then, ask them to assign you a certain letter to search for. Search for at least 5.
9. Video Games
If you’re ready for some fun, try practicing online vision games from Eye Can Learn that allow you to work on your peripheral vision, among many other things. And best of all – it’s free! There is also a large amount of games you can find for free just by searching the internet.
Still need help with improving your vision? Our Occupational Therapist at Newman Therapy Services can help! Just give us a call at (620) 342-4100.