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Home » For Patients » Vision Terms » Convergence Insufficiency

Convergence Insufficiency

Convergence Insufficiency is the reduced ability for both eyes to turn towards each other or the inability to sustain convergence.  It is the most common binocular anomaly.  Approximately 6% of school-aged individuals suffer from convergence insufficiency. 

Signs and Symptoms

 Convergence insufficiency presents with prolong, visually demanding near tasks.

  • Diplopia (double vision)
  • Intermitted blurry vision
  • Asthenopia (eye strain)
  • Abnormal fatigue
  • Decrease concentration
  • Headaches
  • Decrease comprehension

Cause

Convergence insufficiency is the inability for both eyes to point inwards at the same place and at the same time.  It is caused by a dysfunction in eye focusing and movement skills which stem from poor spatial awareness.     

Treatment    

Convergence insufficiency is treated with vision therapy.  Vision therapy or vision training is a type of physical therapy for the eyes.  It is an effective non-surgical treatment for many visual problems.  For convergence insufficiency, vision therapy is used to train eye focusing and movement skills. 

The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trials was a 12 week study published in 2008 that included 221 children between the ages of 9 and 17.  This national randomized trial tested the efficacy of vision therapy with in-office and home training in comparison to computer-based therapy, home therapy, and in-office placebo therapy.  The study uncovered that 75% of indivdiuals who recieved in-office therapy by a trained therapist plus at home treatment reported fewer and less severe symptoms related to prolonged visually demanding near work. 

Vision therapy is currently the only effective treatment for convergence insufficiency.      

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