What Is Convergence Insufficiency

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What Is a Convergence Insufficiency?

As the name indicates, it is the inability for the eyes to converge appropriately. What that means is when the eyes engage to fixate at a near point target they don’t come all the way in. This can produce what we know to be called double vision. Blurry vision can also be experienced when you have a convergence insufficiency.

Convergence Insufficiency, The Broad Strokes

Convergence insufficiency cases are probably the most prevalent issue in vision related disorders. They happen to be the most commonly missed ones as well. If a person has otherwise clear vision, this problem may remain undiagnosed. Similarly, most eye exams and school screenings do not look for this and given the implications on academic performance, learning, and development, it’s not something we should ignore or leave unaddressed. As we’ve seen with other medical issues, the pattern shows us that left untreated most conditions worsen instead of righting themselves. A convergence insufficiency disorder can affect us in many areas of life and follow us from childhood to adulthood.

Convergence Insufficiency, The Broad Strokes

For those of us wondering whether or not we have a convergence insufficiency, don’t fret, we have a list of symptoms for convergence insufficiency’s that might shed some light into what it is we’re looking to address and ultimately treat. The symptoms can range in severity for each item but are not limited to:

Double vision at near point
Blurry vision
Eye strain
Fatigue
Eye pain
Headaches
Light sensitivity

Now, the cause for these symptoms are associated with convergence insufficiency but what about the cause of convergence insufficiency in general? Science isn’t able to tell us the origin of convergence insufficiencies yet, but what we can reason is that to some extent it is influenced by genetic factors as well as environmental factors. For now there's no clear cut origin. Aside from the physical symptoms, we can talk about the effect it could have on our daily lives. The ability to converge effectively is paramount when it comes to our quality of life. If we are unable to converge, it can affect everything from learning to personality development. With double or blurred vision, learning for children comes next to impossible depending on severity. For adults, doing near point work will prove difficult. Also, pushing through these difficulties with the exertion of energy will end up being the origin of maladaptive behaviors that are used to evade the discomfort of the issue.

Treatment For Convergence Insufficiency’s

For this particular disorder there happens to be scientific backed research for the therapeutic value of vision therapy. The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) published the results from two trials that indicate that vision therapy programs are effective in treating children and adults who have CI. They also released the Convergence Insufficiency Symptoms Survey (CISS) to help in diagnostic measures. What the study concluded was that a regiment of vision therapy and orthoptics resulted in the successful treatment of children and adults who suffered from CI. Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga utilizes this exact approach when it comes to treating out-patients who have a convergence insufficiency. Our vision therapy program at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga uses a well rounded approach to achieve the best results for each person with a tailor made therapy program. With an advanced vision exam and therapy patients can look forward to tackling this issue.

Summary

Convergence insufficiency is one of the most common vision conditions impacting a child's performance in the classroom.

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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.

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Olivia C.

Seems much less frustrated with life

Reads non-stop and fast

Spelling abilities have been hugely improved

Seems much more confident

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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!!!