What Brock Strings Can Fix in Your Eyes | VisionTherapy

What Brock Strings Can Fix in Your Eyes

Quick Start

Brock string = cord + 3 beads. You look at one bead at a time and train your eyes to aim together (vergence) and keep things single and clear.

Session recipe: 5–10 minutes, 1–2 times/day. Sit/stand tall, good light, glasses/contacts lens on unless your optometrist says otherwise.

Contents

1) What Brock strings can help with 2) Universal setup (do this first) 3) Convergence Insufficiency (near blur/diplopia) 4) Convergence Excess (eye strain at near) 5) Accommodative Issues (insufficiency/spasm) 6) Suppression & Amblyopia support 7) Intermittent Strabismus (exo/eso) 8) Post-Concussion/Rehab & Vergence Facility 9) Pro tips, safety & when to stop 10) Short FAQs Buy Brock strings on a pocket-friendly budget

What Brock strings can help with

Based on common clinical use in vision therapy, Brock strings are most helpful for:

• Convergence insufficiency trouble turning eyes inward at near; headaches, words moving.
• Convergence excess over-converging at near; eye strain with close work.
• Vergence facility speed/accuracy of changing focus from far to near and back.
• Suppression awareness noticing when one eye “drops out,” then re-engaging it.
• Intermittent strabismus (selected cases) learning to align and maintain single vision.
• Post-concussion gentle re-training of coordinated eye aiming at near.
• Accommodative support pairing clarity with aiming (with print or letter targets).

Important: Brock string is a training tool, not a diagnosis or cure. If you have constant double vision, sudden vision loss, eye pain, or a child with a constant eye turn—see an optometrist/ophthalmologist first.

Universal setup (do this first every time)

1. Anchor one end of the string at nose bridge or lip level. Hold the far end at about arm’s length.
2. Place beads: green (near) ~15–20 cm, yellow (middle) ~40 cm, red (far) ~80–120 cm. Colors don’t matter; distances do.
3. Look at the middle bead. You should see one bead and an “X” or “V” of the string crossing on it. If you see 2 beads or only 1 string, read the section on suppression below.
4. Breathe & blink. Hold 5–10 seconds per bead once single and clear.
5. Sequence: middle → near → middle → far → middle. Repeat for 3–5 cycles.

Convergence Insufficiency (CI)

Goal: Improve inward turning (convergence) for comfortable reading.

How to do it for CI

1. Start with middle bead until single with a clear X crossing on it (5–10 s).
2. Shift to the near bead. If it doubles, slowly bring attention to the bead and let the strings form a sharp X on it. Hold 5–10 s.
3. Return to middle → shift to far → back to middle. That’s 1 cycle.
4. Sets: 3–5 cycles, 1–2 sessions/day for 4–8 weeks.
5. Level up: move the near bead 1–2 cm closer every few days as comfort allows.

Tip: If the near bead won’t go single, step back to middle bead, regain single vision, then try near again for only 2–3 seconds at a time.

Convergence Excess (CE)

Goal: Reduce over-convergence and learn relaxed, accurate aiming at near.

How to do it for CE

1. Begin at the far bead. Make it single; feel a relaxed gaze. Hold 10 s.
2. Shift to middle bead for 5–7 s, then back to far for 10 s.
3. Short visits to the near bead (2–3 s) are okay, but always return to far to “reset.”
4. Sets: 5 far↔middle↔far cycles, 1 session/day.

Tip: Keep shoulders/neck relaxed. Exhale softly as you look farther; inhale as you come to middle.

Accommodative Issues (Insufficiency or Spasm)

Goal: Pair clarity (focus) with accurate aiming. Great when combined with a small letter on the bead.

How to do it

1. Tape a tiny high-contrast letter/number on each bead (or draw a dot).
2. At each bead, make it single first (vergence), then sharpen the letter (accommodation). Say “single then clear.”
3. Hold 5–8 s per bead; cycle near→middle→far→middle.
4. Sets: 3 cycles, 1–2 sessions/day.

Tip: If letters won’t clear at near, blink, breathe out, and briefly visit the far bead to relax focus.

Suppression & Amblyopia Support

Goal: Notice when one eye “turns off” and bring it back online.

How to do it

1. Cover left lens with a small translucent sticker for 10–20 seconds (optional cueing), then remove.
2. Look at the middle bead. You should see two strings making an X. If you only see the right string, your right eye is doing the seeing and left is suppressed—gently tap near the left eye or blink to invite the missing string in. Do the opposite if you only see the left string.
3. Hold the X on each bead 5 s, cycle through all beads.
4. Sets: 2–3 cycles/day. Pair with other amblyopia therapy per your clinician’s plan.

Note: Brock string supports amblyopia therapy but isn’t a standalone cure. Children need a tailored plan from their eye-care professional.

Intermittent Strabismus (Exo/Eso) – Selected Cases

Goal: Build awareness and control to keep single vision.

How to do it

1. Pick the bead position where you can make it single with a clear X most of the time (often the middle).
2. Hold single for 10 s. If it slips double, pause and calmly bring the strings back to cross on the bead—do not force.
3. When stable, add brief shifts to near or far (2–3 s) and return to your stable bead.
4. Sets: 5–8 holds, 1 session/day. Increase difficulty slowly.

Important: Constant strabismus or sudden new diplopia needs in-person care before home training.

Post-Concussion Rehab & Vergence Facility

Goal: Gently rebuild stamina and the speed of near↔far changes.

How to do it

1. Week 1–2: 3–4 minutes, only middle↔far. Slow breaths, low lights if needed.
2. Week 3–4: add near for short visits; keep symptoms under a 3/10 level.
3. Facility drill: call out “near” → make near bead single (touch nose with X), then “far” → make far bead single. Aim for smooth, not fast, switches.
4. Sets: 30–60 seconds on, 30 seconds rest × 3–4.

Pro tips, safety & when to stop

• Posture first: chin level, shoulders relaxed, phone/book at elbow distance.
• Lighting: bright, even lighting reduces squinting and boosts clarity.
• Micro-breaks: 20–20–20 rule during study to support results.
• Progression: bring near bead closer by 1–2 cm every few days if comfortable.
• Stop & rest if you get nausea, severe headache, or lasting double vision.
• Kids: keep sessions fun and short; celebrate small wins.

General advice: This guide is educational. For diagnosis or a full therapy plan, consult your optometrist—especially for children or if you have strabismus, amblyopia, or concussion history.

FAQs

How long until I notice improvement?

Many people feel less strain in 2–4 weeks with daily practice. Complex cases need longer and professional guidance.

Should I wear my glasses?

Yes—unless your clinician asked you to train without them.

How do I know it’s working?

You’ll reach single vision faster, hold it longer, and the near bead can be moved closer over time without discomfort.

Buy Brock Strings on a Pocket-Friendly Budget

Below are reliable, low-cost options. Prices swing during sales—grab what fits your budget. (Affiliate disclosure below.)

Classic 5-Bead Brock String (10 feet)

Standard length with five colored, movable beads—perfect for beginners and daily practice.

Beginner-friendly Durable cord

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Adjustable Brock String with 5 Beads(12 feet)

Extra beads let you set more distances for graded difficulty and facility drills.

More challenges Great for progress

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Classic 3-Bead Brock String

Durable & Adjustable Design: Made from high-quality materials for long-lasting use; The string can be easily adjusted to suit various training needs; Lightweight and portable for convenient use in clinics, schools, or at home; No assembly required, ready to use immediately

Lowest cost Customizable

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Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Educational use only—this article does not replace an eye examination or professional vision therapy plan.