Eye Scanning Training After Stroke Using Eye Search Therapy скачать в хорошем качестве

Eye Scanning Training After Stroke Using Eye Search Therapy

Eye Scanning Training After Stroke Using Eye Search Therapy Introduction Today we’re going to learn how to retrain your eyes after a stroke using a free online therapy called Eye Search. After a stroke, many people develop hemianopia, meaning they lose vision on one side (often called their “blind side”). This makes finding things on a crowded desk, reading, or walking safely very difficult Visual neglect is another problem where the brain ignores everything on one side Both problems can be helped with eye scanning exercises. What is Eye Search? Eye Search is a free online therapy from University College London. It’s designed to improve how quickly and accurately you find objects by training you to move your eyes across your whole visual field The therapy is a game with 16 levels. In each level, a ball rolls across the screen and then jumps randomly. You have to find it. Each level has 100 trials Eye Search doesn’t restore the missing part of your visual field, but it helps you develop a compensatory scanning strategy, so you turn your eyes and head more to the affected side Who can use Eye Search? Eye Search is for anyone with visual search problems from stroke, head injury or brain tumour, especially people with hemianopia or visuospatial inattention (neglect) All you need are basic computer skills such as using a mouse Getting Started Use Google Chrome or Firefox on a desktop or laptop (not a phone). Go to eye search.co.uk and click Start Therapy. You’ll need to sign in with a Gmail or email account. The site will walk you through a practice test to get used to the task. Then you’ll start Level 1. Practice schedule: recommends doing Eye Search for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for six weeks, until you complete about 400 trials. Keep a progress diary—write down how many minutes you practised each day so your therapist can track your progress. After 400 trials, your optometrist or low vision therapist will reassess your progress and adjust your therapy. How the Therapy Works Watch the moving ball carefully. When it jumps, move your eyes and head toward your affected side to find it quickly. The levels get harder: more objects appear on screen, forcing you to search systematically By repeatedly practising, you strengthen the parts of your brain that control eye movements and attention Studies show that such visual scanning training increases awareness of the blind side and can improve daily life activities . Additional Scanning Techniques Start small: In everyday life, remind yourself to turn your eyes and head toward the blind side. You can tape a bright coloured strip on the left or right margin of a page to anchor your gaze and train yourself to read from margin to margin . Cancellation tasks: Practise crossing out target letters or symbols on a page. Work from left to right and top to bottom to encourage systematic scanning . Visual search games: Play “I Spy” or find specific items on a cluttered desk or in a deck of cards; place objects deliberately on your blind side . Navigation practice: When walking, look and describe objects on your blind side. In a safe space, practise locating sticky notes numbered 1 10 across a wall . Use verbal cues: Remind yourself to “look to the left/right” to reinforce scanning . Tips for Success Be patient and consistent. It may take weeks to notice improvement. Practise in a quiet, well lit space to avoid distractions. Sit upright and ensure your monitor is at eye level. If you experience headaches or dizziness, stop and rest. Share your progress diary with your optometrist or occupational therapist; they can adjust your therapy as needed. Conclusion Eye Search is a powerful tool to retrain your eyes and brain after stroke. Combined with other scanning exercises, it can help you read more easily, find things faster, and navigate safely. If you have questions, contact your low vision therapist or optometrist. They can support you through the program and suggest additional strategies. Remember: practice makes progress. Keep scanning, and celebrate each small step towards regaining your independence https://lowvisioncalgary.com/