Dot card - Orthoptic exercises for Convergence Insufficiency

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This leaflet is for patients with a condition called convergence insufficiency (CI), this can be treated by eye exercises. The exercise in this leaflet can be practised at home, and when performed regularly, most patients start to see improvement in symptoms quite rapidly. Your orthoptist will advise you on the types of exercises to do, the way to do them, and how frequently exercises should be practised.

Dot card

The aim of this exercise is to improve your ability to bring your eyes in towards your nose, and maintain stable single vision up close.

Wear glasses for exercises? Yes / No

Length of time doing exercises:

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Number of exercise periods per day:

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How to do the dot card exercises

• If your orthoptist has asked you to wear glasses for your exercises, put these on.
• Hold the dot card on the tip of your nose.
• Look at the dot which is furthest away. If this dot appears single, the rest of the dots should make an “A” shape:

• When you have seen the “A” and maintained it for a count of five, look at the next dot closer to you.
• Continue along the line of dots, making each one single for a count of five, and you should see the following shapes:

When you are unable to see a dot singly, and/or do not see the A/X/V pattern as above, you should move to the dot one further away from you, and try to get that dot single.

After doing your exercises, it is important that you relax your eyes by looking into the distance (for instance out of the window) or closing your eyes for a couple of minutes.

When you start doing this exercise, you may find it very difficult, and you may feel increased eyestrain, and headaches. Try not to let this put you off your exercises – they get much easier with practice.

Notes from your orthoptist:

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Contacts and further information

If you have any difficulties with your exercises, please contact the orthoptic department on 01223 216528

Ophthalmology department
Box: 41
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road,
Cambridge,
CB2 0QQ