Convergence insufficiency may be treated with convergence exercises prescribed by an eyecare specialist trained in orthoptics or binocular vision anomalies see. The main treatment for convergence insufficiency is vision therapy. Convergence excess is a commonly encountered nonstrabismic ocular motility disorder. When answering for a child, ask the following questions exactly as written. To describe the design and methodology of the convergence insufficiency treatment trial. Vision therapyorthoptics for symptomatic convergence. The study was published in the january 2012 issue of optometry and vision science. Convergence insufficiency a common binocular vision disorder in which eye movement inward is inadequate for near activities. Most children given inoffice therapy showed normal vision or significant improvement in symptoms after 12 weeks.
Double vision and blurred vision is also seen in patients with this disorder. Vision therapy orthoptics for symptomatic convergence. An eye teaming problem is when the eyes have a strong tendency to drift outward when reading or doing close work exophoria at near. Vision therapy in adults with convergence insufficiency.
Convergence insufficiency symptom survey if you or your child struggle with near oriented visual tasks, like readinglearning, writing or computer work, this free online vision test helps determine if a developmental vision evaluation is needed. Other treatment optionsincluding home exercises called pencil pushups and computer software programswere significantly less effective than officebased vision therapy. Treatment, which can take place in the office of a trained therapist or at your home, might include. Convergence insufficiency and convergence excess can lead to a number of frustrating symptoms that interfere with the ability to read, focus, and work comfortably at near tasks. Truevision eye care uses electronic health records ehr to store patient information. Pencil pushup treatment for convergence disorder or convergence insufficiency. Although homebased therapy using computer software is becoming more popular, no prospective data are available to demonstrate the effectiveness of homebased vision therapy using computer software compared to homebased near target pushups or homebased placebo computer therapy. Comparison of three vision therapy approaches for convergence. The nei convergence insufficiency treatment trial citt has shown that the most effective treatment for ci is inoffice therapy, overseen by a trained therapist, with additional athome exercises. If convergence insufficiency isnt causing symptoms, you generally dont need treatment. To find other optometrists who provide inoffice vision training for convergence insufficiency. During this simple workout, you centre on a tiny letter on the edge of a pencil while you move it nearer to the point of your nose, ending the movement when you hold double vision.
If you have seen a developmental optometrist, the most common diagnosis this program is designed for is convergence insufficiency or convergence excess. Convergence insufficiency family eyecare solutions. Using sophisticated equipment, your doctor can measure your childs binocular vision skills test for convergence, accommodation, eye alignment and teamwork. Convergence insufficiency ci is a common binocular vision disorder 14 that is often associated with a variety of symptoms, including eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, diplopia, sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, movement of print while reading, and loss of comprehension after short periods of reading or performing close activities. Vision therapy uses various exercises to train the connection between the eyes and the brain as more than 50% of the brain is dedicated to visual function. The treatment for convergence insufficiency is vision therapy. The study concluded that officebased vision therapy in conjunction with daily exercises at home is the only effective treatment option for convergence insufficiency. Homebased treatment with pencil pushups or computer programs hasnt been shown to be as effective. This condition causes one eye to turn outward instead of inward with the other eye creating double or blurred vision. Mark boas, rachel coulter, kristine hopkins, susanna tamkins. Rouse mw, borsting ej, mitchell gl, scheiman m, cotter sa, cooper j, et al. Randomized clinical trial of treatments for symptomatic. This eye muscle disorder makes it difficult for the eyes to turn inward when looking down to read or focus. Some cases of convergence insufficiency are successfully managed by prescription of eyeglasses, sometimes with therapeutic prisms.
A program of vision therapy may be needed to improve eye coordination abilities and reduce symptoms and discomfort when doing close work. Jan 25, 20 have you ever wondered, what is convergence insufficiency. Jul 15, 2017 convergence insufficiency is a condition in which your eyes are unable to work together when looking at nearby objects. But home treatment costs less and is more convenient and more readily available. The convergence insufficiency treatment trial study group abstract purpose. If testing indicates irregularities, your eye doctor may recommend a vision therapy program. Convergence insufficiency cook vision therapy marietta.
Computerized home vision therapy systems treatment for eye. This group of vision disorders have nothing to do with the eye itself, but rather, with how the eyes work together. Pdf the efficacy of vision therapy for convergence excess. Convergence insufficiency ci is a binocular vision disorder characterized by difficulty maintaining fusion while looking at a near target due to a tendency of the eyes to drift outwards. For many years, optometrists, ophthamologists and orthoptics have offered an activity called pencil to nose. Convergence insufficiency is a condition in which your eyes are unable to work together when looking at nearby objects. The convergence insufficiency treatment trial citt was a nationwide randomized clinical trial funded by the national eye institute, and it was preceded by several other randomized clinical trials. These arent really vision problems as much as they are brain. Treatment for convergence disorder or convergence insufficiency. However, if money is an issue and convergence insufficiency is the only problem, make a brock string. Convergence insufficiency ci is a common binocular twoeyed vision disorder in which the eyes do not work easily at near. Reviewing the study, a mayo clinic press release stated that inoffice vision therapy is the preferred treatment for convergence insufficiency.
It occurs when both eyes fail to work in unison in the manner they are required to, especially when reading at a normally accepted distance. Its excellent, especially for convergence insufficiency. Comparison of three vision therapy approaches for convergence insufficiency the safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Convergence insufficiency is usually diagnosed in schoolage children and adolescents.
Convergence insufficiency treatment in vancouver, british. Validity and reliability of the revised convergence insufficiency symptom survey in adults. Vision therapy orthoptics is a combination of inoffice and home based exercises designed to retrain the accomodative focusing, emergence eye. Convergence insufficiency vision therapy for children and.
A study from the national eye institute indicated 75 percent of patients who received inoffice vision therapy by a trained therapist as well as performed athome vision therapy treatment reported fewer and less severe symptoms regarding reading and other near work. Furthermore, several studies report a decrease in symptoms after vision therapy. Methods this randomized clinical trial included patients meeting the eligibility. Vision rehabilitation for convergence insufficiency in vancouver, b.
Convergence insufficiency statpearls ncbi bookshelf. When it came to reducing symptoms of loss of concentration, headaches, etc. Eye coordination problems like convergence insufficiency generally cannot be improved with eye glasses or surgery. It is part of the process involved in seeing a single, threedimensional image. Hts can provide you with a list of doctors in your area who provide the computerized hts home vision therapy program. The only problem, you can only purchase it through an optometrist. It is a nonsurgical treatment for visual problems such as lazy eye, convergence insufficiency, and some reading and related learning disabilities. You will probably be referred to one that specializes in vision therapy. Ci has been shown to affect a childs reading ability, attention and overall school performance. Methods in a randomized, multicenter clinical trial, 47 children 9 to 18 years of age with.
Vision therapy for convergence insufficiency improves academic behaviors. Difficulty with convergence can cause frustration with reading books, phones, and computers. A recent study that confirms that academic behaviors, as measured by the academic behavior survey abs, improve following successful treatment of convergence insufficiency. Even irritability when reading or using a computer can be a visionrelated symptom. A specifically prescribed program of twice a week inoffice therapy combined with athome activities has proven to be the best approach to train the brain to utilize both eyes together comfortably and efficiently.
Vision therapy can retrain your childs eye muscles to meet the visual demands of todays school environment. Jul 15, 2017 recent studies indicate that officebased therapy with home reinforcement is the most effective treatment for convergence insufficiency. Convergence insufficiency is a vision and eye disorder common in children and young adults. Convergence insufficiency is one the most common vision disorders which greatly impedes a patients reading and learning abilities. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the u. Convergence insufficiency treatment trial attention and. This research quantified clinical measurements and functional neural changes associated with vision therapy in subjects with convergence insufficiency ci. Blurred vision with headaches and inability to concentrate are other major symptoms of convergence disorder or convergence insufficiency. Apr 02, 2018 treatment for convergence disorder or convergence insufficiency comprise of. Games, michael gallaway, od vision therapy for children and. Objective to compare vision therapy orthoptics, pencil pushups, and placebo vision therapy orthoptics as treatments for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children 9 to 18 years of age. Attention and reading trial cittart, the first randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of vision therapy on reading and attention in schoolage children with symptomatic convergence insufficiency ci. Purpose we compared the effectiveness of three active vision therapy approaches for convergence insufficiency ci. Convergence insufficiency treatment study cits full text.
Convergence insufficiency symptom survey wow vision therapy. Convergence insufficiency diagnosis and treatment mayo. Convergence insufficiency symptoms and causes mayo clinic. What is meant by the term convergence insufficiency. Convergence and divergence 4 step responses were compared between control adult subjects. In a randomized clinical trial, 221 children ages 9 to 17 years. Gallaway was part of revealed that 50% of adolescents with concussions had problems with eye teaming, focusing and tracking that made returning to school and sports more difficult. Convergence insufficiency ci is the leading cause of eyestrain, blurred vision, double vision diplopia, andor headaches. Electronic health records allow for comprehensive patient documentation, clear communication, and better patient education when it comes to important eye issues. Convergence insufficiency excess minnesota vision therapy. There are, however, very few research data that evaluate the effect of vision therapy for this condition in a. Convergence insufficiency is a common near vision problem that due to recent scientific research is gaining public recognition.
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