By Dr. Charles J. Bock

Pencil-to-Pencil Exercise

The pencil-to-pencil exercise is used for the treatment of convergence insufficiency (described in a separate handout). This is usually used early in the treatment of convergence insufficiency to help patients become aware of the effort used in convergence.

To begin, sit with good upright posture in a chair, holding two pencils. It is important not to slouch and rest you elbows on the arms of the chair. Children may do best in a kitchen or dining chair without arms. Hold the two pencils straight in front of you at arm's length, with the tips approximately shoulder width apart. The pencils should be parallel to the floor with the tips pointing inward, toward each other. You may hold the pencils any way you choose (overhand, underhand, or with a writing grip).

Slowly bring the tips of the pencils together until the points meet. Slowly separate the pencils until the tips are again at arm's length. Bring each of your hands one inch closer to your face and repeat. Keep repeating until the pencil tips are within an inch of your nose or until you cannot make the tips meet (the exercise gets harder the closer to your nose you get). Next, reverse the process, moving away from your face inch by inch. In order for this exercise to work, you will need to use your depth perception, which means both eyes will need to work together and converge on the target.

Rest briefly, then repeat the exercise.

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