 
Over the course of the last several decades, hundreds of studies have been published and presented by optometry and ophthalmology experts proving the effectiveness and supporting the use of exercise techniques very similar to those available through the EYESercise® DVD program.
In many of these studies, scientifically significant, measurable improvement occurred in 10 weeks or less.
To review selected studies, click on the type of vision problems you have below:
Eye Scan Therapy for Astigmatism
E.B. Forrest
A relationship exists between eye scanning habits and astigmatism. In this study involving a control and experimental group, the experimental group was instructed to do various eye scan exercises, each lasting two minutes, 10-15 times per day while eating, brushing teeth or watching TV over a consecutive three month period of time. The results showed that there was a positive significant difference in the change scores between the experimental group overall, and the change was predictable. These results demonstrate eye-scanning exercises have a positive effect on the reduction and control of astigmatism.
Source: Journal of the American Optometric Association 1984, Dec.; 55(12): 894-901
Reduction of Asthenopia in Patients with Convergence Insufficiency
After Fusional Vergence Training
J. Cooper, A. Selenow, K.J. Ciuffreda, et al
The participants were asked if they experienced double vision, fatigue or stress when doing close work. All of the participants receiving the training in fusional vergence exhibited significant improvement. Improvement in the control group was much less. In other cited studies, success rates of 90% and above were shown where vergence training was taught.
Source:
American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1983, Dec.; 60(12): 982-89
Visual Therapy Results for Convergence Insufficiency: A Literature Review
J.D. Grisham
In reviewing the literature on vision training for convergence insufficiency, the training proved to be not only effective, but also long lasting and scientifically valid for most subjects. Successful improvement was shown in 72% to 96% of the test subjects in the studies cited here. The home training periods varied from 4 to 10 weeks in which the subjects practiced exercises up to one-half hour per day. It appeared that shorter but more frequent training periods (for example two 10-minute sessions per day) were more effective than longer but less frequent training periods.
Source: American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1988, June; 65(6): 448-54
The Course & Effect of Visual Training on the Vergence System
K.M. Daum
The study points out that horizontal vergences have been shown through research to be very responsive to visual training. Fusion exercises are frequently used to increase the subject's ability to deal with visual stress. This study dealt with 35 subjects, 25 to 28 years old. The subjects spent 10 minutes per day, five days a week, for three weeks practicing fusion exercises. The results indicated greater improvements in convergence than in divergence.
Source:
American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1982, March; 59(3): 223-7
Negative Vergence Training in Humans
K.M. Daum
Two subjects spent 50 hours over seven consecutive weeks training with exercises devised to increase divergence. They practiced the exercises during 45-minute sessions at home twice a day. The study results showed that there was a substantial increase in negative vergence ability after using the training techniques. The discussion suggested that a successful outcome could result after just 10 to 15 hours of training.
Source:
American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1986, July; 63(7): 487-96
Actual Measurement of Fixation Disparity and Its Use in Diagnosis and Treatment
J.E. Sheedy
Now fixation disparity can easily be measured. Disparity indicates that there may be an oculo-motor imbalance. Successful achievement of binocular fusion imposes a rigorous standard of performance on the extra-ocular muscles. During binocular fusion, both eyes must be exactly aligned so that an image is focused simultaneously on the fovea in each eye. The fovea is a particularly sensitive area of the retina where a very distinct image will be seen. If instead of fusing exactly, a slight misalignment of the two eyes occurs, it is diagnosed as fixation disparity. Vision training had been shown effective in improving oculo-motor imbalance and fixation disparity.
Source: Journal of the American Optometric Association 1980, 51(12): 1079-84
1982 paper presentation at the American Academy of Optometry in Chicago, Clinical Research Project - Portland Optometric Clinic, Portland University
The project involved a short-vision training program done at home over a 21-day period. The 83 subjects were divided into two groups, a control and an experimental group including presbyopes and myopes. The experimental group was taught visual games, breathing and relaxation techniques. On a whole, the experimental group showed improvements in visual acuity at far distance and improvements in scores on fixation disparity and vision fitness. Statistically significant improvements were found in the myopes.
Vision Training Program for Myopia Management
E. Friedman
Vision training, when used to stabilize myopia, seems to help many patients. The author's observations, after working with several hundred patients, show that when myopia occurs in the late teens or later, improvement is more easily achieved. Patients with refractive error of -2.25D or less, generally are able to improve vision so that they do not need glasses or used them very little. Others can successfully move to weaker lenses.
Source:
American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1981, July; 58(7): 546-53
Behavioral Treatment of Myopia-Refractive Error and Acuity Changes in Relation to Axial Length and Intraocular Pressure
R.C. Rosen, H.R. Schiffman, H. Meyers
This study was done to determine the effect of behavioral training on myopia subjects. The duration of the study was six weeks and involved 29 subjects, 19 to 47 years old. The subjects were divided into a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group was given visual therapy training. Acuity for the experimental group showed significant improvements and the degree of refractive error showed a trend toward improvement when compared to the control group.
Source:
American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1984, Feb.; 61(2): 101-5
Clinical Management of Nearpoint Stress-Induced Vision Problems
C.F. Gruning
This study examines the problems associated with nearpoint stress and preventative measures that can be taken. Insufficient accommodation and vergence disorders are commonly associated with nearpoint stress. Some early intervention and preventative measures noted include:
- Increased awareness in the patient can help mitigate stressful behavior
- Proper lighting increases comfort and efficiency
- Frequent quick breaks to refocus when doing close work relieves stress
- Optimal distance from close work relieves excessive demand on accommodation and stress convergence
- Physical exercise and nutritious
diet play a role in stress reduction and prevention of
stress-related illnesses.
Source: American Journal of Optometry
& Physiological Optics 1985, June; 62(6) 386-91
Vision Training for Presbyopic Nonstrabismic Patients
B. Wick
This study involved 161 presbyopic patients, 45 to 89 years of age, who exhibited convergence insufficiency or visual skills deficiencies. Within 10 weeks or less, most patients who used vision training exercises had improved responses on optometric tests and had successfully eliminated their symptoms. The results showed an overall success rate of 92%. A retest after three months showed that the elderly patients 75 to 84 years of age needed additional training to maintain skills, but the younger group did not. (Later study by Dwyer & Wick, 1995, points out that vergence and accommodative problems are the most common disorders of presbyopic patients.)
Source:
American Journal of Optometry & Physiological Optics 1977, April; 54(4): 244-7
Vision & Sports: A Review of the Literature
C.D. Stine, M.R. Arterburn, N.S. Stern
This study looks at using vision training in sports applications. The literature shows that athletes demonstrate better visual performance in peripheral acuity, motion perception, depth perception, dynamic visual acuity and other visual skills. The literature also shows that all of these skills are trainable. The two studies that the authors reviewed in this paper support the belief that visual training is transferable to athletic performance, but were not designed stringently enough to indicate improved sports performance in specific applications.
Source: Journal of the American Optometric Association 1982, Aug.; 3(8): 627-33
Visual Skills of Athletes Versus Nonathletes: Development of a Sports Vision Testing Battery
G.N. Christensen, A.M. Winkelstein
This study looks at visual skills needed to succeed in sports. Significantly better visual skills were found among athletes when compared to non-athletes for certain skills. The U.S. Olympic Committee has established a sports vision evaluation and enhancement-training program. Athletes measured better scores in these areas: larger extent of visual field, field of peripheral acuity, and field of motion perception; better depth perceptions, better dynamic visual acuity and closer nearpoint convergence.
Source: Journal of the American Optometric Association 1988, Sept.; 59(9) 666-75
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