How to Train Eye Movements

Eye movement training can be accomplished through a course of vision therapy. Vision therapy consists of a prescribed regimen of eye exercises that can be done at home or at an eye doctor's office.

Get an Eye Exam.

• According to the American Optometric Association and the All About Vision website, for vision therapy to be effective, the patient must first have her nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism corrected. This can only be done through a glasses or contact lens prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. After the glasses or contact lenses are fitted, the patient can start vision therapy.

Work With an Eye Doctor.

• Vision therapy is specific to each patient's needs. It is important that the patient discuss vision therapy with his eye doctor, and he must strictly adhere to the prescribed regimen of vision therapy for it to be effective.

Basic Vision Therapy Procedure

• Vision therapy will generally begin with each eye being trained individually. During this phase, the patient wears an eye patch over one eye while the other eye performs the eye exercises. When the eye doctor moves the patient to the next phase, she will begin working with both eyes together to allow the eyes to become more coordinated while reading. The full process takes between six weeks and six months, depending on the severity of the problem.