Vision Therapy for Binocular Dysfunction Post Brain Injury

Authors

Conrad, Joseph Samuel; Mitchell, G. Lynn; Kulp, Marjean Taylor

Vision Therapy for Binocular Dysfunction Post Brain Injury

publication date

Abstract/Introduction

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of home-based computer vergence therapy for the treatment of binocular vision disorders in adults at least 3 months after an acquired brain injury.

Methods

Eligibility criteria included presence of binocular dysfunction characterized by receded near point of convergence (≥6 cm break), insufficient positive fusional vergence at near (failing Sheard’s criterion or <15△ blur or break), insufficient negative fusional vergence at near (<12△ blur or break), and/or reduced vergence facility at near (<15 cycles per minute with 12△BO/3△BI). Participants were prescribed 12 weeks of home-based computer vergence therapy. Phoria (cover test), negative fusional vergence, positive fusional vergence, near point of convergence, vergence facility, and symptoms (convergence insufficiency symptom survey [CISS]) were assessed at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of prescribed therapy. ANOVA was used to evaluate change in each measure. Percentage successful was also determined.

Conclusion/Results

Results

Nineteen participants were enrolled (mean age 45.4 ± 12.9 years); six participants were lost to follow-up. Baseline findings were orthophoria at distance, 7.2△ exophoria at near, near point of convergence break = 17.5 cm, near point of convergence recovery = 21.8 cm, negative fusional vergence = 12.3△, positive fusional vergence blur = 8.4△, vergence facility = 3.9 cycles per minute, and CISS = 32.1. ANOVA showed a statistically significant improvement for near point of convergence break (p = 0.002) and recovery (p < 0.001), positive fusional vergence blur (p < 0.0001), break (p < 0.0001), and recovery (p < 0.0001), negative fusional vergence blur (p = 0.037), break (p = 0.003), and recovery (p = 0.006), vergence facility (p < 0.0001), and CISS (p = 0.0001). The percentage of patients who were classified as “successful” or “improved” was 69% for near point of convergence (<6 cm or decrease of ≥4 cm), 77% for positive fusional vergence (>15△ and passing Sheard’s criterion or increase of ≥10△), 77% for negative fusional vergence (≥12△ or increase of ≥6△), 62% for positive fusional vergence and near point of convergence composite, and 92% for vergence facility (15 cycles per minute or increase of 3 cycles per minute).

Conclusions

The majority of participants who completed the study experienced meaningful improvements in signs and symptoms.

Testimonials

Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.

Amanda T.

Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.

Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.

Alexa H.

Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.

He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.

It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!

Charlotte M.

Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.

Thank you!

Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

Thank You!!!

Kelly O.

When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!