Convergence Insufficiency Treatment

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Convergence Insufficiency

We so often take, quite literally, the little things in our modern-day lives for granted- the characters on our smartphones, newspaper print, the ball we’re supposed to catch in the gym. Although most of us have memorized button placement, the general gist of what we’re reading, or how to position our hands to catch, we still need our eyes to converge, or team, in order for us to be able to clearly see what’s before us. This concept is known as convergence sufficiency and it is critical to our ability to clearly and accurately see what’s around us. When our eyes are unable to maintain that binocular focus, however, we need to be assessed for convergence insufficiency.

What is Convergence Insufficiency?

Convergence insufficiency is the inability of our eyes to work together while looking at things that are close up or far away. For many, one eye may turn outward while the other turns inward. This deficiency causes vision to become blurry, inexact, and generally unclear.

How Do You Know if You Suffer From Convergence Insufficiency?

There are a number of symptoms with which you may be faced if your eyes do not team, or work together, properly. If you experience any of the following, you may want to ask your optometrist to evaluate you for convergence insufficiency:

Headaches
Double vision
Difficulty focusing or concentrating on what you’re reading
Using a finger or implement to point at words as you read
Avoidance of work that requires good hand-eye coordination that is close up
Anxiety and muscle tension
Vertigo
Inability to recall what you’ve read despite focusing intensely
Words that seem to move across the page

How is Convergence Insufficiency Treated?

Vision therapy is the most effective way to treat convergence insufficiency. This therapeutic intervention helps those with convergence insufficiency by training the patient’s eyes to converge and focus the way they should. Various tasks and exercises are assigned to patients both in-office and at home in order to enhance their neuroplastic development and help the mechanisms of their eyes work properly.

The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial

In order to test the efficacy of vision therapy as a means to treating convergence insufficiency, the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial, known as the CITT was conducted, The CITT was a gold standard, double-blind treatment trial in which the National Eye Institute evaluated the results of patients who were administered vision therapy in-office, were given eye exercises to perform at home, and were put in a placebo group. After years of study statistical analysis proved that in-office vision therapy treatment was the most effective, long-lasting treatment for convergence insufficiency.

Common Questions

Is Vision Therapy The Only Way To Treat Convergence Insufficiency?

There are other ways to treat this condition but they generally do not prove as effective. Prism lenses are sometimes used but have not proven to be terribly successful. Surgery is rarely performed as it yields less-than efficacious results.

How Long Does It Take To Treat Convergence Insufficiency?

The intensity and duration of treatment, take less or more time depending on the severity of the insufficiency and the patient’s compliance to treatment. A successful regimen of vision therapy performed in-office takes, on average, 18-20 sessions. Your overall health, including physical, developmental, and behavioral conditions, as well as how often you practice what you learned in the doctor’s office at home, all factor into the success and longevity of your treatment.

Can I Be Treated For Convergence Insufficiency As An Adult?

Although children are in their developmental prime and are able to put the therapeutic techniques they are taught to the best use, adults can benefit from vision therapy as well. Because our brains remain dynamic throughout our, lives we can learn new things no matter how old we are. Neuroplasticity makes the ability to train our eyes possible whether we’re 13 or 35.

When You and Your Eyes Work Together

Even if your vision is 20/20, you may struggle to see things clearly and strain-free. For some people, the eyes know what to do but can’t do them effectively. For others, the eyes need a little help functioning the best they can. Vision therapy for convergence insufficiency is a well-researched, evidence-based practice that can improve what you see, how you see, and your ability to appreciate what you see. Patients with functional vision issues visit our clinic from all over Tennessee, and we are proud to be a leading provider of functional vision services for patients from Hixson, Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Middle Valley.

Learn More

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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!!!