Soft Marsden ball / letter ball

The Marsden ball (letter ball) is a classic part of a vision training programme. The letters automatically make you focus when you look at the ball – unlike, say, a tennis ball – so it can be used for many exercises.

What it trains

• Smooth pursuit eye movements – the eye movements you use to follow something that is moving.
• Integration of vision and balance – so you can move and at the same time look up and read signs or look at goods in the supermarket.
• Vestibular balance – the balance organ in the inner ear on the right and left side.

Who it is for

For you if you have tired eyes, dizziness, nausea or find it hard to look up while walking.

How to use it

• Lie under the ball at a distance of about 40 cm, look up at a letter and follow it while the ball swings in different directions.
• Walk forwards and backwards on a balance beam while looking up at the ball.
• If you also swing the ball from side to side, you “activate” your vestibular balance as well.
• NB! The exercise is intensive and should only be done for a short time at a time. If you experience dizziness, nausea or a headache, contact our vision therapists.

Good to know

• Long string and a special hook with double-sided tape. The hook is not suitable for plastered ceilings.
• Handle the ball with care – the eyelet that holds the string can break.