The orthoptist initiates treatment for Peter’s visual problems and discusses the findings of the visual assessment with the occupational therapist who then continues his rehabilitation.
There are two categories of interventions which might be used to manage saccadic eye movement problems:
- Substitution interventions which aim to improve the actual saccadic eye movements
- Compensatory interventions which reduce the impact of saccadic eye movement problems by providing a different or alternative way of performing the specific task
Substitution interventions:
Place two containers 25cm apart in front of Peter. Put a small marble in one and ask Peter to transfer the marble from one container to the other. (Yes, this will encourage Peter to practise his saccadic eye movements by looking at each container in turn.)
Encourage Peter to complete dot-to-dot pictures by drawing a line from each numbered dot to the next to reveal a completed picture. (Yes, this will encourage Peter to practise his saccadic eye movements by looking from the current dot to the dot with the next number.)
Instruct Peter to use standard word search puzzles by identifying a series of words in a letter grid. (Yes, this will encourage Peter to practise his saccadic eye movements by systematically looking for the target letters and words.)
Encourage Peter to include computer console games in his home programme e.g. tennis. (Yes, this will encourage Peter to practise his saccadic eye movements by moving his gaze with the tennis ball.)
Provide Peter with a sheet of paper with assorted letters on it. His task is to cross out every letter “E”. (Yes, this will encourage Peter to practise his saccadic eye movements by looking at each letter to find the target letter “E”)
Compensatory interventions:
Provide Peter with large print reading materials. (Yes, it may be easier for Peter to move his eyes to larger words.)
Suggest that Peter uses an audio book reading device. (Yes, this will mean that Peter does not have to visually read.)
Provide Peter with a typoscope for reading. This is a thin sheet of plastic / card with a window in it; when placed on a page it shows only a small section of text at any time. (Yes, limiting the target area can make it easier for Peter to move his eyes between fewer words.)
Instruct Peter to use his index finger to slide along under each word as he reads. (Yes, this may make it easier for Peter to move his eyes to the next word by using his finger as a target.)
Suggest that Peter uses an on-screen keyboard when using the computer as he usually types by looking at the keyboard. (Yes, the on-screen keyboard is narrower than the actual keyboard which reduces the distance that the eyes must move to find target letters.)
Page last reviewed: 29 Jul 2021
