While lazy eye exercises alone are not sufficient to eliminate the condition, they can be highly effective when coupled with other techniques. If you are looking for the best eye exercises for a lazy eye, this article is for you. We have compiled and explained the top five exercises for correcting a lazy eye.

Lazy eye or amblyopia is a condition that affects around three out of every 100 children. If the brain prefers one eye over the other, the child may have a lazy eye. We recommend consulting with an expert for diagnosis and proper treatment. If you are in the area or you are looking for the best professionals available, we recommend a pediatrician in Miami, Florida.

Learning how to fix a lazy eye at home is simple. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to supplement treatments for correcting a lazy eye. Keep scrolling to find out which exercises are beneficial for this condition.

What is a Lazy Eye?

The childhood condition where the patient’s vision does not develop correctly is called lazy eye or amblyopia. It occurs when one or both eyes do not have a strong link with the brain. In most cases, only one eye is affected – this means that the child can see more clearly out of one eye, often referred to as the “good eye.” 

Before explaining how to fix a lazy eye at home, it is essential to understand how to tell that the child has this condition in the first place. Since amblyopia does not cause symptoms, it can go undetected and untreated for a long time. Younger kids are typically unaware that their vision is problematic; if they are aware, they usually don’t know how to explain the problem. On the other hand, older kids might complain that their eyesight is not good and that they find it difficult to draw, write, or read.

Sometimes, one of the eyes will look different than the other. That said, this is typically a sign of another medical condition that can lead to amblyopia, like:

  • Childhood cataracts
  • Short-sightedness or myopia, long-sightedness or hyperopia, or astigmatism
  • A squint

Before correcting a lazy eye, you must ensure that your child is dealing with this condition. If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts related to your child’s health, book an appointment with Dr. Hernandez-Puga.

The Top Five Best Lazy Eye Exercises

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While treatments such as eye patching, eye drops, and even surgery may be the best option for correcting a lazy eye, you may also consider some of the following exercises. Of course, you will want to consult with a healthcare specialist at a reliable clinic to determine which treatment method is suitable for your child. Here are the top five practical lazy eye exercises you can start with today.

  1. Consider Pencil Pushup Treatment or PPT

The Pencil Pushup Treatment is one of the best eye exercises for a lazy eye. All you need is a pencil or another object that resembles the shape of a pencil. For the maximum effects, we recommend getting a pencil or an object with a visual element, for instance, the letters of the alphabet. Alternatively, you can get a pencil with a symbol or a recognizable shape on it to help your child remain focused. 

You can try the Pencil Pushup Treatment on your child or on yourself. When performing eye exercises for a lazy eye like PPT, you will want to refrain from using an eye patch over the “good” eye. Instead, follow these steps:

  • Start by holding the pen in front of the child or yourself at arm’s length.
  • Next, start moving the pencil close to the nose. It shouldn’t become doubled or blurry.
  • When the pen becomes blurry or doubled, move it away from your or your child’s nose.
  • If your pen has a visual element on it, focus on that.
  • Repeat the steps about five times. You can do eye exercises for a lazy eye, like the PPT, a minimum of three times per day.
  1. Try Coloring Within the Lines

How to fix a lazy eye at home? Consider coloring! Many kids enjoy coloring, and getting them a coloring book will be an excellent way to “sneak in” a fun exercise for the eyes! Encourage coloring within the lines. To perform this exercise, start by:

  • Selecting a coloring book with basic pictures.
  • Put an eye patch over the child’s “good” eye.
  • Instruct the child to color the objects on each page slowly and stick within the lines.
  • Ensure that the child is supervised and that the eye patch isn’t removed.
  1. Play Video Games

Which child doesn’t like playing video games? Consider specially-made video games that your child can try with goggles. Your child can play these unique games dichoptically, meaning that one eye will view something different, like low- or high-contrast images. 

You can also wear an eye patch while playing video games.

  1. Attempt the Brock String Exercise

The Brock String Exercise was created by Frederick Brock, a famous strabismus specialist and optometrist. It’s an excellent way to correct your child’s eyesight by focusing on specific objects. To perform the exercise, you will need a Brock string (you can make it at home too). This white string is about 15 feet in length and has colorful beads on it. You can move the beads around. For this exercise, you don’t need an eye patch.

Start by:

  • Tying a loop on both ends of the string.
  • With one loop, attach the Brock string to a fixed object like a doorknob.
  • Place the beads along the Brock string so that one of them is close to the fixed object (or “far fixation”). The other should be approximately three feet away from you (or “middle fixation”), and the third six inches from the nose (or “near fixation”).
  • Now, stand in front of the fixed object.
  • With the other string loop, wrap the string around one finger. 
  • Hold the Brock string flush along the upper lip, directly under the nose.
  • Ensure that the cord is tightly stretched.
  • Focus on the bead that is the closes. Make sure that you don’t see two beads, only one. The strings should be in an “X shape.”
  • Move the bead closer to the nose. The strings should resemble a “V shape.”
  • Repeat the exercise a few times by focusing on the middle and far fixation.
  1. Start Reading and Solving Puzzles

People Solving a Puzzle Close Up

If the child has learned how to read, have them read their favorite book for 30 minutes per day. Have them wear an eye patch over the good eye for the best effect. Solving puzzles can also be beneficial for a lazy eye. Your child can put together interesting jigsaw puzzles by wearing an eye patch on the good eye. This way, the weaker eye will become stronger, and they will also have tons of fun! Nevertheless, ensure that the puzzle is appropriate for the child’s age. You don’t want complex puzzles, as these can frustrate the child.

Book an Appointment with Us Today

The exercises outlined in this article may be an effective supplement to a treatment plan for the lazy eye. If you have any questions or concerns related to the child’s health, or you are looking for the best treatment available, we’re here for you. Schedule an appointment today to get started.