Convergence Insufficiency
What is It and How to Treat It
Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a common eye-teaming problem in which the eyes have difficulty turning in to read and see during up close work. It is the #1 visual issue to cause eyestrain, blurry vision, double vision (diplopia), as well as headaches. It often leads to loss of concentration/attention when reading. Take a look at the image below and imagine how difficult it would be keep your focus when text appears to move/swim when attempting to read.
How Do You Treat It?
The science has been established and says the way to truly treat convergence insufficiency is by office-based Optometric Vision Therapy. Here’s the research showing the efficacy of Vision Therapy in treatment of Convergence Insufficiency. Any other option will fall short or only provide temporary improvement while not truly treating the underlying binocular vision issue.
What Isn’t a Proven Treatment?
Neurolens Prism Glasses
While prism glasses have been shown to have some value in individuals who have suffered concussion/brain injury with resultant convergence insufficiency, they are NOT the treatment of choice for any other instances of diagnosed convergence insufficiency. A type of prism lens (Neurolens) has been marketed as a ‘treatment’ for eye alignment issues resulting in symptoms, many of which are consistent with convergence insufficiency. The patient is required to wear the lenses at all times, and as such it should be obvious this is no fix, but akin to taking medication to cover up a headache. It’s important to understand a person will ALWAYS require the Neurolenses and will never truly address the convergence issue as Vision Therapy would have fixed.
Much research has been done to determine Vision Therapy as the gold standard of care for treatment of Convergence Insufficiency.
Contact us to learn about the permanent improvement and success our office provides to patients with convergence insufficiency. The therapy process does not have to be long, or expensive, to have a lasting impact on you/your child’s eyes. Please call our Omaha Vision Therapy office at (402) 502-0043 with any questions and we’d be happy to let you know if you’d be a candidate for a functional/binocular vision evaluation to determine if vision therapy could help permanently alleviate your/your child’s visual symptoms.
Or visit the foremost organization on functional/binocular visual issues at COVD.org
