Towel Tube Fixations
Purpose: To assist in the development of centering and accurate eye and hand spatial direction
Apparatus: Towel tubes, occluder, predetermined targets (on wall, chalkboard, or ball on string)
Method:
Patient is instructed:
Phase I — Monocular, Open Eye
1. With one eye covered, look at the first (central) target with open eye.
2. While looking at the target, put towel tube to uncovered eye so that target is seen through the tube.
3. Put the tube down.
4. Home assistant asks if he was aware of having to make any change in direction of the tube and in what direction he had to shift it. Or, was it immediately lined up on target?
5. Subject repeats on same target trying to monitor out any aiming error.
6. He repeats, using other targets in other directions.
7. He tries to follow a moving target, such as a ball on a string.
8. Emphasize aiming the eye and tube without head movement.
9. Repeat for each eye and each hand.
10. Repeat at different distances.
Phase 2 — Monocular, Closed Eye
1. Same as Phase I, but patient is to close the non-occluded eye. Then put the tube to that eye, aiming and looking in the direction of the preselected target with the eye still closed.
2. Assistant asks if it feels like the tube and eye are aligned with the target.
3. Now, patient opens the eye. Is it aligned? Try to monitor out aiming error.
4. Repeat the variations described for Phase I.
Phase 3 — Binocular
1. With both eyes open, patient is to put a tube to each eye. Look from one target to another, aligning both tubes on the same target quickly, accurately and simultaneously. Use minimum or no head movement.
2. Repeat, aiming eyes and tubes at target with eyes closed. When eyes and tubes feel aligned on target, open eyes and verify, as in Phase II above.
3. Follow a moving target, keeping both tubes aligned on it.
4. Vary the tube diameters, occasionally using two different sizes at the same time. Try tubes of different lengths.
Aspects to be Emphasized:
1. Ability to self monitor and correct errors in direction.
2. Ability to locate targets quickly and accurately and to follow moving targets accurately.
3. Ability to perform with either eye and either hand, as well as with both eyes and both hands simultaneously.
4. Ability to look at or follow targets with little or no head movement.
