Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
VH

Our Location

(707) 206-0290

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Insurance and Payments
  • About Us
    • Meet the Optometrist
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye and Vision Exams
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision Treatment
    • Sports Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Frames
    • Designer Frames
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
    • Appointment Request
  • Community Content
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Vision Therapy Programs >
  • Keep Your Eye on the Ball: How Vision Therapists Use Marsden Balls to Help Their Patients

Keep Your Eye on the Ball: How Vision Therapists Use Marsden Balls to Help Their Patients

  • Created in Vision Therapy Programs
boy playing baseball with father

A Marsden ball might not look very impressive, but this little ball offers big benefits for athletes and children affected by strabismus, ambylopia and other conditions. Marsden ball exercises are just one of the techniques that vision therapists use to help patients make better use of their vision.

What Is a Marsden Ball?

Marsden balls are used in used for a variety of vision therapy exercises. The hollow rubber balls are about four inches in diameter and dangle from the ceiling on a string attached to an i-hook. Depending on the exercise, the ball may feature letters, numbers, colors or a combination of letters and colors.

Why Are Marsden Balls Used?

Every initial visit to a vision therapist involves a thorough examination to identify issues that may prevent you from using your vision fully. Once your therapist identifies the source of your problem, he or she creates a treatment plan that includes both low-tech and high-tech therapies, including computer software, prisms, lenses, filters, games and exercises. The Marsden ball, one of the low-tech options, is often used if you or your child has one of these problems or conditions:

  • Difficulty using both eyes together
  • Hand-eye coordination problems
  • Poor visual tracking skills
  • Amblyopia (lazy eye)
  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)
  • Problems with visual spatial processing
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Autism spectrum disorders

Marsden ball exercises can also help an athlete improve his or her performance. Hand-eye coordination and tracking are essential skills for many types of sports. For example, poor tracking skills may make it difficult to tell where a baseball or softball will land. The exercises also improve peripheral vision, allowing an athlete to see action on the sides of the field or court without turning his or her head.

How Does the Marsden Ball Work?

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective. During Marsden ball exercises, the vision therapist sets the ball in motion and asks the patient to perform a variety of tasks, such as calling out the letters they see on the ball. While performing the exercises, patients are asked to keep their heads still and move their eyes to identify letters or colors. Marsden ball exercises are sometimes performed on wobble boards or other devices that help improve balance. Depending on the exercises, patients are asked to sit, stand, walk or lie down while keeping their focus on the balls. The balls can be raised or lowered as needed.

Marsden ball exercises are just one vision therapy technique that can help improve common vision disorders, make reading easier and improve sports performance. Would you like to find out if vision therapy can help you? Call us to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

Optometry Times: Vision Therapy: A Top 10 Must-Have List

http://optometrytimes.modernmedicine.com/optometrytimes/content/tags/brock-string/vision-therapy-top-10-must-have-list?page=full

Vision Care Institute: Be the Best You Can Be

http://www.thevisioncareinstitute.co.uk/sites/default/files/private/uk/pdf/07%20PerformanceVisionSportModule3.pdf

Review of Optometry: Treating Patients on the Autism Spectrum, 4/5/11

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/treating-patients-on-the-autism-spectrum

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Eye Lids
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you.

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Rohnert Park Office

Monday:

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Locations

Find us on the map

    No testimonials found. Please add

Featured Articles

  • April Newsletter: Tired of Contacts? Consider Orthokeratology.

    Wish you didn't have to wear your daily or monthly contact lenses? Orthokeratology can sharpen your vision. ...

    Read More
  • April Newsletter: Corneal Abrasion Could Lead to Infection. See Your Eye Doctor!

    Has something scratched your eye? A visit to the eye doctor could help you avoid a serious infection. ...

    Read More
  • March Newsletter: Are Your Eyes Getting Enough Vitamin D?

    Not getting enough of a key vitamin might increase your risk of several eye diseases. ...

    Read More
  • March Newsletter: Is Your Prescription Up to Date? What You Need to Know about When and Why You should See Your Optometrist

    Not sure when you need to see the eye doctor? ...

    Read More
  • Saccadic Fixators

    This entails a wall-mounted square board with a starburst design. Along the various striations of the starburst are lighted buttons. As the buttons light up, the patient works quickly to see how many of these lit buttons they can push before they go out. The key is to keep the head still. Peripheral ...

    Read More
  • Patches

    Eye patches are used to strengthen muscle control in weak eyes. By placing a patch over the strong eye, the weaker eye is forced to do the heavy lifting. While it may be uncomfortable for the patient at first, the muscle controlling the weaker eye will become tougher and more resilient. This will allow ...

    Read More
  • Rotation Trainers

    Rotation trainers consist of a disk – with various designs – that is attached to a rod-like base. As the disk rotates, the patient is asked to perform tasks that are designed to test and enhance eye-hand coordination, space awareness, perceptual awareness and visual acuity. ...

    Read More
  • Computer Software

    Computer aided vision therapy consists of a software package designed to enhance eye tracking skills, visual thinking, processing skills and binocular vision skills. Eye teaming, focusing and tracking are not optical in nature, and problems in these areas are the result of poor eye muscles. Specialized ...

    Read More
  • Prisms

    A prism has the same cross-section across the entire length of its shape. When used in eyeglasses, they often correct abnormalities associated with nearsightedness, farsightedness and double vision. Eyeglasses, or corrective lenses, reduce or increase the size of the image based on the eyes’ ability ...

    Read More
  • February Newsletter: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration could affect your vision? ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles!

  • Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map