Near Far Heart Chart – Vision Exercise #1

This will help with the struggle of smoothly transitioning your visual near focus to far focus. This one I picked up originally from my vision therapist Dr. Maciej Suwala from the London Vision Training Clinic.

Here’s how it goes. First, print the PDF I have linked at the bottom of this post. This one came from the internet, not Dr. Suwala. Then tape the piece of paper with the big chart to a wall at eye level. Make sure there is room for you to stand 6 to 10 feet away from the chart where you have taped it. Next, folder the paper with the small chart up so that the chart is visible and the height of the paper is the height of the chart. Don’t worry too much about folding it width-wise, I’ll leave this to your discretion. Once this is done, you’re ready to go.

Time for the exercise itself. Stand 6 to 10 feet away from the paper on the wall, facing it directly with the small chart in hand. Start at a distance that challenges you at least a little and work your way back gradually as you proceed to do this daily, or twice daily for best results. Now, cover your left or right eye with the coinciding hand. With your free hand make a fist with the small chart in between your pinky and ring finger, now make a thumbs up while holding the chart there. Bring your hand up to your face and point the thumb directly underneath your uncovered eye. Hold your hand there so you can see the small chart directly in front of your eye but can also look past it to see the chart on the wall. Now, holding your hand there for the whole exercise, focus on the first letter/number on the near chart (small chart) and read it out loud. Then transition to focus on the first number/letter on the far chart (wall chart) and read it out loud. Continue to go through each letter in the first row of both charts, rotating back and forth the whole time at a consistent pace (use a metronome app to help set the pace). Then continue onto the second and third rows until you’re done the third. Next, switch eyes/hands and repeat the process with the eye that was covered. Cover the eye you were just using. Once done. The exercise is complete. As I said, you can do this once or twice a day. But need to stay consistent to see a real benefit.

Here are the sheets with the charts you will need to print.

Hit me up on socials with any questions @519jc

Justin Carrothers

Vestibular Excercise #1

When we suffer brain trauma – at any level, there’s a high probability we can expect to suffer vestibular disturbances. This is somewhat similar to vision issues and can often combine to produce similar symptoms, or make existing symptoms from vision deficits worse when paired together.

Physiotherapy can support vestibular recovery but doesn’t always focus specifically on this core issue. While going through the BrainEx90 program at Parkwood Hospital in London Ontario, I was introduced to the following exercise. If you haven’t been through a program like this and are recovering from a brain injury or are struggling with Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) I would highly recommend searching for a local option. Parkwood also has a great return to school program I had the pleasure of attending a few years ago as well. That program had plenty of resources and strategies for attending school while dealing with symptoms and difficulties (I will publish more about this in the future). Here is a link to learn more about Parkwoods treatment programs.

I don’t remember the name for this exercise so let’s just call it Vestibular Exercise #1. (Creative eh?) But to put it simply, what you’ll do for this one is tape one of the pages from the PDF I will attach below to a wall at eye level. You want your eyes to line up between the center and the upper third quarter of the page. For the other sheet, place it on the ground 3 or 4 feet out from the wall so that if you were leaning against the wall the letters/numbers would be upright and readable. Next, you will stand between the two papers. Starting by facing the wall; with your index finger, touch the lowest letter or number on the sheet. Then, with your head high (no looking at your feet) turn 180 degrees. Following this, bend down and touch the lowest letter or number from the sheet on the ground. Now stand back upright and as a second motion, turn another 180 degrees so you are facing the wall sheet again and have completed a 360 turn. Repeat this until you have worked your way to the end of the alphabet/number lists. Take your time and be patient with yourself, there is no sense in overdoing it but you definitely want to push yourself, a little. Once this becomes easier for you, change the 180-degree turn to a 540-degree turn. Do this daily until you can handle it with no issues. Then test yourself weekly. (Recommendations are my own, a survivor, not a doctor)

Here are the sheets you need to print.

Questions? Hit me on socials @519jc

Justin Carrothers

PS, credit to Parkwood for the sheets and for the exercise.