What is Convergence Insufficiency?
Convergence insufficiency is a condition in which the eyes struggle to align to look at near objects. This condition may cause issues with reading and other near tasks.
How the Eyes Converge Up Close
When looking at an object that is close, such as a book or a phone screen, both eyes have to turn in towards the nose to focus on the object.
Depending on how close the object is, the amount of turn needed by each eye is more or less with the closer objects requiring the most eye turn.
Since both eyes are turned in towards the nose simultaneously, it may appear that the eyes are crossed, but they are, in fact, just focused on a near target.
How Convergence Insufficiency Affects the Eyes
The eyes are designed to be able to converge to an object all the way to the nose, however, in cases of convergence insufficiency, the eyes are unable to converge as much and as a result there may be double vision or other vision issues.
Convergence insufficiency occurs when the eyes are unable to converge and keep an object single to within a few inches of the nose.
Based on age, there are normal variations in the range of convergence, but in convergence insufficiency, the ability to converge is reduced far past the normal variation.
Symptoms of Convergence Insufficiency
The symptoms of convergence insufficiency are very subjective and may not always be the type of symptoms which make you think about an issue with eye alignment.
Common symptoms include a reduced reading speed, difficulty reading with comprehension, words going double on the page, and headaches after prolonged near work.
These symptoms are very common in school aged children and may be attributed to any number of learning related conditions, however, it is important to have a comprehensive eye examination with special attention to the binocular vision aspects before ruling out convergence insufficiency as the cause.
Since most of the symptoms associated with convergence insufficiency are related to reading or other prolonged near tasks, the avoidance of these activities can also be a sign of a potential issue such as convergence insufficiency.
Treatment Options for Convergence Insufficiency
There are multiple options to treat convergence insufficiency. In most cases, the best option for treatment is vision therapy in office with at home practice.
Other options include glasses, possibly with a bifocal, and using visual aids while reading.
Only vision therapy works to treat the underlying cause of the convergence insufficiency, other treatments only lessen the symptoms associated with the condition.
Vision Therapy for Convergence Insufficiency
If vision therapy is considered as the treatment for convergence insufficiency, there will need to be an evaluation to determine the best therapy course for the patient.
After the evaluation, several in office therapy sessions will be needed to train the eyes using techniques which build the foundational skills needed to converge the eyes successfully and at will.
Once the foundational skills have been established, additional therapy will enable the patient to continue to maintain the convergence ability and utilize it in daily life.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
Convergence insufficiency is a condition in which the eyes struggle to align to look at near objects. This condition may cause issues with reading and other near tasks.
How the Eyes Converge Up Close
When looking at an object that is close, such as a book or a phone screen, both eyes have to turn in towards the nose to focus on the object.
Depending on how close the object is, the amount of turn needed by each eye is more or less with the closer objects requiring the most eye turn.
Since both eyes are turned in towards the nose simultaneously, it may appear that the eyes are crossed, but they are, in fact, just focused on a near target.
How Convergence Insufficiency Affects the Eyes
The eyes are designed to be able to converge to an object all the way to the nose, however, in cases of convergence insufficiency, the eyes are unable to converge as much and as a result there may be double vision or other vision issues.
Convergence insufficiency occurs when the eyes are unable to converge and keep an object single to within a few inches of the nose.
Based on age, there are normal variations in the range of convergence, but in convergence insufficiency, the ability to converge is reduced far past the normal variation.
Symptoms of Convergence Insufficiency
The symptoms of convergence insufficiency are very subjective and may not always be the type of symptoms which make you think about an issue with eye alignment.
Common symptoms include a reduced reading speed, difficulty reading with comprehension, words going double on the page, and headaches after prolonged near work.
These symptoms are very common in school aged children and may be attributed to any number of learning related conditions, however, it is important to have a comprehensive eye examination with special attention to the binocular vision aspects before ruling out convergence insufficiency as the cause.
Since most of the symptoms associated with convergence insufficiency are related to reading or other prolonged near tasks, the avoidance of these activities can also be a sign of a potential issue such as convergence insufficiency.
Treatment Options for Convergence Insufficiency
There are multiple options to treat convergence insufficiency. In most cases, the best option for treatment is vision therapy in office with at home practice.
Other options include glasses, possibly with a bifocal, and using visual aids while reading.
Only vision therapy works to treat the underlying cause of the convergence insufficiency, other treatments only lessen the symptoms associated with the condition.
Vision Therapy for Convergence Insufficiency
If vision therapy is considered as the treatment for convergence insufficiency, there will need to be an evaluation to determine the best therapy course for the patient.
After the evaluation, several in office therapy sessions will be needed to train the eyes using techniques which build the foundational skills needed to converge the eyes successfully and at will.
Once the foundational skills have been established, additional therapy will enable the patient to continue to maintain the convergence ability and utilize it in daily life.