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Owning a Hart chart printable is a great way to exercise vision therapy techniques, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with one of the disorders mentioned further in this post. The goal is to improve oculomotor skills, saccadic eye movements, and accommodative facility.
Confused? Don’t worry. I’ve explained what it all means below. In addition to learning why Hart charts are used, you’ll learn who needs a Hart chart, the benefits, types of Hart charts used, and the different formats they come in.
Need a few charts for yourself? I’ve included an opportunity in this post to get your own free Hart chart printable. Actually, you’ll get a whole package!
Medical Disclaimer
This blog post is not intended to replace medical advice or professional resources.
What is a Hart Chart Printable and How Does it Work?
The Hart Chart was created by Dr. Frederick W. Hart, an optometrist who wanted to help people improve their vision. He designed it as a simple way to strengthen the eyes and improve focus. His goal was to make a tool that could train the eyes to work better together.
Dr. Hart used the chart as part of vision therapy for patients with eye movement and tracking problems.
Over time, other optometrists realized the benefits of the chart and began using it in their own practices. Today, they’ve become a standard tool in managing certain visual conditions.
Hart Chart Printable Formats
Hart Charts come in various formats, each for different vision training needs. The standard chart, for example, improves eye tracking, while near-far charts enhance focus adjustment.
Large wall charts are used to help with distance vision therapy. Small charts, on the other hand, offer a convenient way to practice portable exercises.
Other types include number-based charts for visual processing, word charts for reading fluency, and digital versions for interactive training. Some also feature shapes to boost pattern recognition.
Common Hart chart printable formats include the following:
Standard Printable Size (8.5” x 11”)
The most common version used for individual eye exercises.
Large Wall Chart (24” x 36”)
Often printed on white vinyl material, mounted at eye level, and used for distance vision therapy.
Small Hart Charts (5” x 7” or smaller)
Portable versions used for close-range exercises.
Digital Formats
Small-size JPEG images and the HartChart App make it easy to use on screens for mobile vision training.
Some advanced versions include Hart Chart decoding and circle-square variations for pattern recognition training.
Why Hart Charts Are Sometimes Used as a Vision Therapy Technique
The Hart chart is a simple and effective tool that can be used by anyone. As I mentioned earlier, they come in different formats and styles to suit the person using it.
When used according to instructions, Hart charts can help in the following ways:
Improves Eye Coordination & Tracking
Hart Charts help the eyes move smoothly from one point to another.
Moving your eyes quickly from one point of fixation to another is called saccadic eye movement, a normal process that helps prevent skipping words while reading or losing track of moving objects.
Some people, however, can develop saccadic dysfunction secondary to certain neurological conditions, developmental delays, or eye coordination issues.
Strengthens Focus (Accommodative Facility)
Most of us are able to shift our focus between near and far objects without thinking twice.
We do it all the time! We have to be able to shift focus between near and far objects just to complete daily tasks like reading and writing. We’d all be dangerous drivers if we couldn’t quickly shift our focus!
Hart Charts train the eyes to adjust focus more quickly by moving between a near chart and a large chart placed at eye level, strengthening the eye muscles that control focus.
Boosts Reading Speed & Comprehension
Reading smoothly depends on first-letter and second-letter recognition, which helps the brain process words faster. Hart Chart exercises train the eyes to recognize letters more efficiently, making it easier to read quickly and understand what is being read.
This is especially useful for students and those with reading difficulties.
Enhances Attention & Visual Endurance
For people who spend long hours reading, writing, or using screens, eye fatigue can be a challenge.
Hart Charts help build visual endurance by training the eyes to maintain focus for longer periods.
Who Needs a Hart Chart Printable?
Hart charts can be used by a variety of people for many reasons.
Below you’ll see the specifc groups of people who may benefit from a Hart chart printable.
Children & Students
Helps with reading fluency, improving first-letter and second-letter recognition, and reducing eye strain.
Adults With Vision Issues
Useful for individuals with accommodation problems or who struggle with eye coordination
Athletes & Professionals
Enhances rapid eye movements for better tracking and reaction time
Writers & Creatives
Some people use Hart Charts in writer’s toolkits to train focus.
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How to Use Hart Charts Based on Specific Disorders
The following is a list of the various types of disorders that could warrant the use of a Hart chart. I’ve included a short description of each disorder along with tips on how to use a Hart chart printable for best effect.
Convergence Insufficiency (CI)
Convergence insufficiency happens when the eyes have trouble working together to focus on things up close.
This can make reading or doing homework tiring and uncomfortable.
People with CI may experience eye strain, double vision, or headaches. Hart Charts help with exercises that shift focus between a near chart and a large chart placed farther away can strengthen the eye muscles and improve focus.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
A small Hart chart can be placed close to the person’s face, while a large letter chart is placed several feet away. The person starts by reading a letter on the near chart and then quickly shifting focus to read a letter on the large chart. This forces the eyes to adjust and work together.
Accommodative Dysfunction
Some people struggle to switch their focus between near and far objects, which can make everyday tasks frustrating.
Accommodative dysfunction happens when the eye muscles don’t adjust quickly enough.
Hart Chart exercises improve this by helping the eyes practice shifting focus between different distances, increasing their flexibility and strength.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
A near chart is placed about 16 inches from the face, while a large chart is placed at least 10 feet away.
The person should read one letter at a time, switching back and forth between the charts. This helps strengthen the eye’s ability to focus and adjust to different distances. Over time, the eyes should be able to shift focus more quickly and comfortably.
Oculomotor Dysfunction (Eye Tracking Issues)
Oculomotor dysfunction affects how the eyes move and track words or objects. People with this issue may lose their place while reading, skip words, or find it hard to follow moving objects.
Hart Charts are useful because they train the eyes to jump smoothly from one letter to the next, improving reading speed and accuracy. Exercises that involve Hart Chart decoding and following letters in different patterns help strengthen eye coordination.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
A small letter chart should be placed at eye level about 16 inches away. The person reads across each row, moving from left to right and top to bottom. If they lose their place, they can use a finger to track the words.
More advanced exercises involve Hart Chart decoding, where a therapist may ask them to read only certain letters (e.g., every second letter) or jump between specific patterns to train eye control.
Strabismus (Eye Turn) & Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Strabismus, or an eye turn, occurs when the eyes are not properly aligned. This can lead to double vision or depth perception problems.
Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, happens when one eye is weaker than the other, making it hard for both eyes to work together. Hart Charts are often used in vision therapy techniques to encourage both eyes to function as a team.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
For these conditions, patching therapy is often used, where the stronger eye is covered with an eye patch, forcing the weaker eye to work harder. The person then reads a small chart at eye level, ensuring that only the weaker eye is being trained.
Another technique is to use a full-size chart on the wall while slowly stepping backward, making the weak eye work harder to maintain focus.
Dyslexia & Reading Difficulties
Dyslexia is not an eye problem, but people with dyslexia often struggle with tracking words while reading. They might mix up letters, skip words, or have trouble recognizing patterns.
Hart Charts can help by training the brain and eyes to move smoothly from one letter to the next. This improves first-letter and second-letter recognition, making reading easier and more fluent.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
A large chart can be placed at eye level, and the person reads each row as smoothly as possible.
A variation of this exercise is to circle or highlight certain letters as you read each line, helping with letter recognition.
Visual Processing Disorders
Visual processing disorders occur when the brain has trouble making sense of what the eyes see. Even if a person’s vision is clear, they might struggle to recognize letters, words, or shapes quickly.
Hart Charts help by strengthening letter recognition skills and training the brain to process visual information more efficiently. Exercises that involve tracking words or recognizing patterns can be especially useful.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
A Hart Chart decoding exercise can be used, where the person reads only every second letter or follows a specific color-coded pattern.
A small size chart can be printed and laminated, allowing users to mark letters with a dry-erase marker. These exercises help the brain develop better pattern recognition and improve reading speed.
Post-Concussion Vision Syndrome
After a concussion or head injury, some people experience blurry vision, difficulty focusing, or double vision.
This happens because the connection between the brain and the eyes has been disrupted. In this case, Hart Charts may help retrain the eyes and improve focus. By practicing shifting focus between a near chart and a small chart at different distances, people can slowly rebuild their ability to see clearly and comfortably.
How to Use the Hart Chart for This Condition
For post-concussion therapy, a large letter chart should be placed on the wall.
The person stands at a comfortable distance and slowly reads letters while keeping their head still, focusing only with their eyes.
A small Hart chart can be used for near work, and the person practices slowly shifting their focus between the two charts. This retrains the brain’s ability to process visual information without causing discomfort.
Free HART Chart Printable For Eye Training (8.5” x 11” – Resizable)
I put together these three HART charts to help with eye tracking, focus, and visual coordination—whether you’re using them for vision therapy, reading practice, or just as a fun way to challenge your eyes.
They’re designed at 8.5” x 11” (A4) but can easily be resized if needed.
What’s Included?
🖤 Standard Black & White HART Chart – Great for eye movement exercises to improve reading speed and focus.
🔴🟢 Red-Green HART Chart – Used with red-green glasses to help with binocular vision, depth perception, and eye teaming.
🌈 Contrast Sensitivity HART Chart – Helps train the eyes to distinguish letters against different backgrounds, which can be helpful for reading and visual processing.
Super simple to use—just print and go! Hope you find them helpful!
More ideas for your Hart Chart Printable
Instead of printing your pdf Hart Chart, why not save it in Goodnotes or other note-taking app. You shop for planners at my GumRoad Shop!
How Can I Claim Them?
Just sign up for my newsletter and you’ll get be brought directly to the page. From there, you can save them to your computer and print them later.
Summary
There are different types of Hart Charts to help boost visual performance.
Your optometrist may have given you some to use or recommended different options for you based on your specific diagnosis. I’ve provided 3 Hart charts for you to use (just complete the subscription box in the form above). However, this is not meant to replace guidance, advice, or resources from your physician, optometrist, or any medical professional.