Can You Improve Your Eye Tracking?
Dr. Kalie McCartin
Developmental and Neuro-Optometrist
Owner, Visual Processing Institute
Introduction
Have you ever struggled to follow a moving object or keep your eyes on the lines of a page? If so, you might be experiencing poor eye tracking. But don't worry, there's hope! Eye tracking is a skill that can be improved with the right guidance.
What is Eye Tracking?
Eye tracking is the ability to smoothly and accurately follow objects with your eyes. It's a crucial skill for many everyday activities, from reading and driving to playing sports and watching movies. What many don't know, however, is that tracking your eyes smoothly is actually a higher order visual skill that requires many other foundational skills to be working accurately and efficiently.
Why is Eye Tracking Important?
Good eye tracking is essential for:
Reading comprehension: Poor eye tracking can make it difficult to focus on words and understand what you're reading.
Visual learning: When your eyes can't keep up with the information, it can hinder your ability to learn from visual cues.
Sports performance: Athletes need good eye tracking to anticipate the movements of opponents and react quickly.
Computer work: Staring at a screen for extended periods can strain your eyes and affect your tracking ability.
What Causes Poor Eye Tracking?
Poor eye tracking is often a symptom of underlying binocular vision dysfunction. This means there's a problem with the coordination between your two eyes. Common issues that can affect eye tracking include:
Divergence insufficiency: Difficulty turning your eyes outward.
Divergence excess: Difficulty turning your eyes inward.
Convergence insufficiency: Difficulty bringing your eyes together to focus on a near object.
Convergence excess: Difficulty keeping your eyes from crossing.
Deficiency in Smooth Pursuits: Difficulty smoothly guiding eyes across a page or in in any direction in a smooth and controlled manner.
Accommodative Spasms: Difficultly sending a correct neurological signal to the Ciliary Body muscle in side of the eye that accommodates the lens to keep words, letters, numbers, and more clear when looking at them up close.
Can Poor Eye Tracking Be Fixed?
The good news is that poor eye tracking can often be improved. With the right treatment, many people can experience significant improvements in their eye tracking abilities.
Treatment Options
The best treatment for poor eye tracking will depend on the underlying cause and Vision Therapy or Vision Rehabilitation is the Gold Standard for Binocular Vision Dysfunction and Visual Processing Deficiencies.
Vision therapy: This involves exercises and activities designed to improve your eye muscles and coordination.
Vision Rehabilitation: This is specialized vision therapy sessions for a patient who has damage to visual processing skills sustained a brain injury. Brain injuries that can damage these skills include concussions, whiplash, surgery, strokes, inflammation from infections (such as COVID), and more.
Tips for Improving Eye Tracking at Home
While professional treatment can be very helpful, there are also steps you can take at home to improve your eye tracking:
Practice eye exercises: There are many simple exercises you can do to strengthen your eye muscles and improve coordination.
Take breaks from screens: Staring at screens for long periods can strain your eyes and worsen eye tracking problems.
Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet can help support overall eye health.
Conclusion
Poor eye tracking can be frustrating and impact your daily life. However, with the right treatment and a little effort, you can improve your eye tracking skills and enjoy better vision. If you're concerned about your eye tracking, consult with an eye care professional for a comprehensive evaluation.
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