THE ULTIMATE HELP WITH
RELEASING EYE STRAIN, ADDRESSING DOUBLE VISION, PROMOTING EYE ENGAGEMENT, EYE BALANCE AND BINOCULARITY
The Butterfly Shield, also known as the binasal occluder is designed to separate the left and the right field of view. Being placed between the eyes in the area close to the face, it provides a symmetrical occlusion within the student’s field of view in a span that is the widest and the most central when focus is at at close distance, and progressively narrowing and moving to the sides as the point of focus moves to objects at further distances. While limiting the field of view of each eye, it does not limit the field of view for the two eyes together. A visible limitation to one’s field of view (while both eyes are looking) is the sign of one of the eyes being fully or partially ignored by the brain, or the two eyes not working in balance.
SETTING THE EYES FREE
Practice with an occluder that separates one eye from the other releases strain from the eye that controls or significantly influences the other (usually the dominant eye). According to Meir Schneider, the author of Vision for Life, “this relief immediately leads to better vision for more than 60% of people who engage in the exercise (referring to The Melissa exercise, a technique that leverages the type of occlusion comparative to that provided by The Butterfly Shield)”. In other words it frees the non-dominant eye from the control of the dominant eye.
BRINGING FUN TO VISION PRACTICE!
Training with the Butterfly Shield brings movement, laughter, and joy to your routine.
Many of the practices that leverage the occluder utilize juggling balls and can be further enhanced (and their effectiveness further increased), when performed on a rebounder or a trampoline.
INDISPENSABLE TO THOSE CHALLENGED WITH BINOCULARITY AND DOUBLE VISION
When the fields of view of the eyes are separated, the competition between the two eyes subsides and the only way one can see the whole image that is in front of them is by the two eyes being equally recognized by the brain and partnering with each other during the process of seeing. In other words, as the student looks from one part of the object to the next, the eyes constantly pass the responsibility for seeing to each other.
The Butterfly Shield therefore creates a highly favorable environment for the development of proper engagement and coordination between the brain and each eye. This is particularly helpful to students with amblyopia or those with a strong difference between the acuity in each eye.
It also promotes partnership/coordination between the two eyes, a skill needed for the letting go of double vision (diplopia).
EFFECTIVE ADDITION TO ROUTINES FOR COMMON ERRORS OF REFRACTION
The techniques that leverage the Butterfly Shield contribute to the release of strain associated with myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia.
Less common usage occasions are post traumatic brain injury (use only under medical supervision), and post cataract surgery (for visual system adjustment)
THE BUTTERFLY vs. OTHER TRAINING TOOLS
The BUTTERFLY vs. The NOSE CARD
Both of these tools separate the student’s field of view, but their roles differ.
The Nose Card’s primary purpose is to initiate gentle and progressive eye activation while the Butterfly supports eye partnership and binocularity. The impact of the two tools overlaps in the area of eye engagement. While the nose card provides more flexibility, the Butterfly is certainly easier to wear for longer time periods and to use while engaging in movement.
The BUTTERFLY vs. SHIELD #1
While at first glance they look the same, the occlusion they provide is vastly different.
Shield #1 is a binocular occluder that covers the user’s central vision and is therefore used for the development of peripheral vision. When practicing with Shield #1, the user is directed to look into the shield. It is therefore not suitable for wear outside of a highly controlled environment.
On the other hand the Butterfly shield keeps central vision open and the user is always instructed to look at the object of their attention when practicing with the shield. Its purpose is to train the connection between the central vision and the brain.
PRACTICING WITH THE BUTTERFLY SHIELD
All good vision improvement programs include a selection of techniques for eye engagement, binocular vision development, and eye coordination. At Overbound you will learn such techniques inside any full scope program. If you are new to vision improvement, check out Clarity Unleashed.
The most common natural vision techniques that leverage a symmetrical occlusion of the nasal part of the field of view, such as the occlusion provided by the Butterfly Shield, are:
Ball Over Head
Ball Throw at Target
Bar Reading
Melissa Technique and all its variations
Additionally, long term wear for the purpose of prevention is a fantastic way of keeping both eyes in constant contact with the brain and with each other.
