Vision Therapy/Orthoptics for Symptomatic Convergence Insufficiency in Children: Treatment Kinetics

Authors

Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial Study Group

Vision Therapy/Orthoptics for Symptomatic Convergence Insufficiency in Children: Treatment Kinetics

publication date

May 4, 2009

Abstract/Introduction

Purpose.

To assess the long-term stability of improvements in symptoms and signs in 9- to 17-year-old children enrolled in the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial who were asymptomatic after treatment for convergence insufficiency.

Methods.

Seventy-nine patients who were asymptomatic after a 12-week therapy program for convergence insufficiency were followed for 1 year [33/60 in office-based vergence/accommodative therapy (OBVAT), 18/54 in home-based pencil push-ups (HBPP), 12/57 in home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy and pencil push-ups (HBCVAT+), and 16/54 in office-based placebo therapy (OBPT)]. Symptoms and clinical signs were measured 6 months and 1 year after completion of the 12-week therapy program. The primary outcome measure was the mean change on the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS). Secondary outcome measures were near point of convergence, positive fusional vergence at near, and proportions of patients who remained asymptomatic or who were classified as successful or improved based on a composite measure of CISS, near point of convergence, and positive fusional vergence.

Conclusion/Results

Results.

One-year follow-up visit completion rate was 89% with no significant differences between groups (p = 0.26). There were no significant changes in the CISS in any treatment group during the 1-year follow-up. The percentage who remained asymptomatic in each group was 84.4% (27/32) for OBVAT, 66.7% (10/15) for HBPP, 80% (8/10) for HBCVAT+, and 76.9% (10/13) for OBPT. The percentage who remained either successful or improved 1-year posttreatment was 87.5% (28/32) for OBVAT, 66.6% (10/15) for HBPP, 80% (8/10) for HBCVAT+, and 69.3% (9/13) for OBPT.

Conclusions.

Most children aged 9 to 17 years who were asymptomatic after a 12-week treatment program of OBVAT for convergence insufficiency maintained their improvements in symptoms and signs for at least 1 year after discontinuing treatment. Although the sample sizes for the home-based and placebo groups were small, our data suggest that a similar outcome can be expected for children who were asymptomatic after treatment with HBPP or HBCVAT+.

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!!!