Brock string

A tool used in vision therapy to improve binocular vision and depth perception

The Brock string is a tool used in vision therapy to help individuals improve their binocular vision and depth perception. It is named after Frederick Brock, a Swiss optometrist who developed this technique to assist patients with convergence insufficiency and other binocular vision disorders.

Description

The Brock string consists of a length of string, typically around 10 to 15 feet long, with several colored beads spaced along its length. The string is usually white, and the beads are often red, green, and yellow to provide high contrast and aid in visual tracking.

A Brock string with colored beads used in vision therapy

Usage

To use the Brock string, one end of the string is attached to a fixed point, such as a wall or a doorknob, while the other end is held at the tip of the nose. The beads are spaced at various intervals along the string. The individual focuses on each bead in turn, starting with the bead closest to the nose and moving outward. This exercise helps train the eyes to converge and diverge appropriately, improving coordination and depth perception.

Exercises

During a typical Brock string exercise, the individual is instructed to focus on a specific bead. When focusing correctly, the bead should appear single, while the string on either side of the bead should appear as two separate strings forming an "X" shape. This visual feedback indicates proper convergence of the eyes.

The exercises can be varied by changing the spacing of the beads, the distance of the string, or the speed at which the individual shifts focus from one bead to another. These variations help to challenge and improve the flexibility and strength of the eye muscles.

Applications

The Brock string is commonly used in the treatment of convergence insufficiency, a condition where the eyes do not work together properly when focusing on nearby objects. It is also used to address other binocular vision disorders, such as strabismus and amblyopia.

Vision therapists and optometrists often incorporate Brock string exercises into a broader vision therapy program, which may include other tools and techniques to enhance visual skills and processing.

Benefits

The primary benefit of using the Brock string is the improvement of binocular vision, which is crucial for tasks that require depth perception, such as reading, driving, and playing sports. Regular practice with the Brock string can lead to better eye coordination, reduced eye strain, and enhanced visual comfort.

Related pages

• Vision therapy
• Convergence insufficiency
• Binocular vision
• Depth perception
• Strabismus
• Amblyopia