Rotations – Near Area
Purpose: To learn the skill of smooth, easy, accurate movement of each eye in following an object
Apparatus: Target, a bright colored pencil eraser, or picture on end of a stick, balance board
Method:
Cover left eye, follow object with right eye. Then cover right eye and follow with left. Work in a place where neither operator or subject faces a light or window, and so that subject faces a blank wall. Hold target about 16 inches from face of patient. Instruct patient to look directly at target and follow exactly. Stand with good posture. Always use both clockwise and counter-clockwise patterns.
1. Move target in small circles (1 inch in diameter) and then larger circles (up to 2 feet in diameter). Speed for small circles should be about 1 rotation in 2 seconds. Large circles should be about 1 rotation in 4 seconds.
2. Spiral–start with a 3 inch circle and gradually increase to 2 feet in diameter.
3. “Figure 8” movements, 4 to 15 inches from top to bottom of 8, same speed.
4. “Figure 8” movements, same size and speed, but with 8 on it’s side.
5. Random movements–no set pattern–do not go beyond area set off by nose and brow. Maintain the same speed at first. Later, use random speeds, but change gradually from one speed to another.
6. After 1 through 5 are mastered, vary distance of target in front of patient from 6 inches to 2 or 3 feet from patient’s face.
Aspects to be Emphasized:
1. Watch for small jerky movements of the eye, or loss of fixation.
2. Point out corner cutting or momentary stops and jerkiness to patient.
3. Effort must be made to correct such movements and to become aware of his ocular movement control.
4. Maintain easy balance on balance board when eye movements are smooth when standing on the floor.
