Strokes attack the portions of the brain controlling movement, speech and sometimes vision, diminishing the use of one side of your body or the other. Rehabilitation exercises for the entire affected side of your body -- including vision therapy -- help retrain the brain for proper sensory function and movement.
Benchmark Exercise
This exercise helps you and your doctor determine the extent of visual focus damage following strokes, according to the Optometrists Network. With your eyes closed, you look toward the side of your body affected by the stroke. When you believe your eyes are pointed in the right direction, open them. The doctor then determines how close to the proper direction your gaze is and uses this information to develop other visual therapy exercises.
Computer Exercises
A study published in the "Journal of Neuroscience" in 2009 showed patients who suffered visual impairment after stroke regained much of their vision after engaging in special computerized eye exercises. For 15 to 30 minutes each day during a several-month period, the patients stared at a black square on a computer screen. In intervals of a few seconds, a group of 100 small dots flashed on the side of the screen corresponding to their affected eyes. Over time, the University of Rochester Eye Institute study showed marked improvements in patients' vision.
Balloon Tossing
Therapies that stimulate eye and body movement of your affected side aid in vision recovery following strokes. The Optometrists Network recommends tossing a balloon back and forth with an exercise partner, ensuring the balloon travels to and from the affected side of your body. These exercises help retrain the brain to coordinate vision and movement.
Family Activities
The subtle actions of your family also aid in vision recovery if you suffer a stroke. Having your family members sit on the affected side of your body during visits, discussions or other activities pushes you to focus with the affected eye, helping to retrain the brain to use the eye and make it stronger, according to Optometrists Network.
Flashlight Exercises
Using focused bright light, such as the type generated by flashlights, is an effective visual therapy following strokes, according to vision health association VisionHelp Practice Management Group. Exercises using light beams in the field of vision nearest the affected eye increase sensitivity and help build off any vision remaining following your stroke, according to the group.
