Oculomotor Training Improves Reading Eye Movement

Purpose of study Reading is one of the integral elements for learning and poor readers were reported to have less efficient reading eye movements. They were typically characterized by having higher number in fixation and regression, reduced reading speed and perceptual span. The purpose of this study was to investigate if vision therapy which limited to training of oculomotor skills can improve reading eye movement.

Methodology This was a randomized, prospective study. 30 subjects aged from 8-9 years of age with reading difficulties and reading eye movement problems were recruited. They all have normal intelligence and ocular health, but failed to meet the Taylor reading eye movement norms when tested with the Visagraph III. The subjects were randomly assigned into either the treatment group (15) or the control group (15). The treatment group had to go through a course of oculomotor vision therapy and the control group was given placebo exercises. Vision therapy for the treatment group involved 8 weeks of training (office training - 3 times a week, 30 min per session; home training - 4 times a week, 30 min per session). Office training involved the use of Vis-Flex (Visual Flexibility Trainer - an electronic device with L.E.D. lights which can display various flashing patterns at variable speeds). Home training involved several saccadic eye movement exercises. Subjects and parents were also asked to grade the reading symptoms checklist before and after the training.

Inclusion criteria

• Reported by teachers or parents to have reading difficulties and failed to meet the Taylor reading eye movement norms when tested with the Visagraph III (below age norm for both fixation and regression number).
• Studying in mainstream primary schools (8-9 years of age)
• With normal near visual acuities for both eyes (with or without spectacles)
• Hyperopia below +4.00 D
• Myopia below -4.00 D
• Astigmatism below -2.00 D
• Anisometropia less than 2.0 D difference between the two eyes
• Near heterophoria within 0-4 exophoria
• Vertical heterophoria less than 1 prism dioptre
• Monocular amplitude of accommodation over 10 D in both eyes
• With parents who were willing to perform vision therapy exercises for the children at home on a regular basis
• Both genders were acceptable as Eden et al (1994) stated that gender had no effect on oculomotor skills

Exclusion criteria

• With strabismus
• Presence of eye diseases
• History of dyslexia (learning disability) or developmental delay