Vision Development Toys and Games

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Vision Therapy Toys

Looking for fun ways to work your visual processing skills at home?! We have you covered! Dr. McCartin put together a list of some of her favorite games and activities to keep you busy and developing.

While these games can’t take care of everything and are not a treatment for binocular vision and visual processing disorders, they are great for working on certain skills! Enjoy!

Eyes weren’t designed for today’s digital world. The constant focus on screens strains delicate eye muscles, disrupts blinking patterns, and exposes us to harmful blue light. This can cause dry eyes, blurry vision, headaches, and even contribute to the development of nearsightedness (myopia), especially in children.

That’s why limiting screen time is vital for healthy eyes. It gives your eyes a break, allowing them to relax, rehydrate, and refocus. But what if visual problems persist even when you step away from the screen?

At the Visual Processing Institute, we go beyond 20/20 eyesight. Vision therapy addresses the underlying causes of screen-related strain. It helps retrain your brain and eyes to work together, improving focusing stamina, eye teaming, and overall visual comfort. By improving visual processing skills, we empower you to use screens effectively without the discomfort. Take control of your visual health – start by limiting screen time, and consider how vision therapy can provide a long-term solution for your eyes.

My child loves playing games on their tablet. Are there any apps or digital games that could also help their eye focusing?

While some apps claim to improve visual skills, their effectiveness is often limited. Professionally designed vision therapy programs provide targeted, personalized exercises that are more likely to produce results. It's best to consult with a vision therapist to determine if any apps would be suitable as a supplement to in-office therapy.

Besides reducing screen time, what kind of everyday objects around the house can I use for simple vision exercises?

Simple objects like pencils, straws, or a ball can be helpful! Hold a pencil at arm's length and slowly bring it closer to your nose – good for practicing focusing. Try threading beads onto a straw to improve eye-hand coordination. Play catch with a ball to work on eye-tracking skills. Remember, these are basic activities; your vision therapist will have a wider range of tools and can personalize exercises.

I've heard of things like eye patches and special lenses. Do you recommend any over-the-counter vision therapy tools I can buy myself?

It's important to avoid self-diagnosis and self-treatment. Eye patches, lenses, and other tools are often highly specialized. They should only be used under the guidance of a vision therapist to ensure they address the specific needs of your child.

My child struggles with reading and has trouble tracking across a page. Will these at-home toys help with that?

Basic toys and activities can be a good starting point to encourage visual skills, but they may not fully address all the complexities of reading difficulties. A comprehensive vision evaluation is necessary to determine if your child has a vision processing disorder that's contributing to their reading troubles.

I know therapy at your office is ideal, but if we can't do that right now, how do I know if these home exercises are actually making a difference?

Keep track of any positive changes you notice in your child's visual behavior: Reduced eye strain and headaches Improved focus and attention during close work Better reading fluency or sports performance If you don't see any improvement or have concerns, contact the Visual Processing Institute for advice or to schedule a consultation. At-home exercises shouldn't be treated as a long-term replacement for professional care.