Convergence Insufficiency Treatment

Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a binocular vision disorder characterized by the eyes’ inability to work together at near for an extended period of time. This patient will often experience eye strain, headaches, blurry vision, or double vision when reading. Many will avoid reading or cover or close an eye when reading. The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT Study) conducted by the National Institutes of Health has recently released their statement of results that in-office vision therapy is the most effective way of treating CI.

Convergence insufficiency (CI) affects approximately 5% of the population. Patients with CI may have difficulty pointing their eyes inward when looking at print or objects close up. In its early stages, CI is the most treatable binocular dysfunction, with a success rate of 70% to 95%.

CI disorder interferes with one’s ability to see, learn, read, and work at close distances. The eyes may drift outward when reading or at close distances. If this occurs, the person will likely have double vision. The person will then exert much effort to prevent double vision by turning the eyes back in. This can lead to eyestrain, blurry vision and headaches. A person might even close or cover one eye when reading to avoid double or blurry vision. The person’s brain may even ignore the image from one eye to avoid double vision. This is called suppression and can lead to loss of depth perception.

Clinical results show that CI can be treated at any age. Treatments range from prism lenses to office-based vision therapy.

Prismatic eyeglasses or prism lenses can decrease some of the symptoms, but patients typically remain dependent on them. Primary convergence insufficiency treatment, according to scientific research by the National Eye Institute, should be office-based vision therapy.

To learn more: Convergence Insufficiency

Back to Convergence Disorders or Binocular Dysfunction.

Please note: In-office, Optometric Vision therapy, under the direction of a Behavioral Optometrist using prisms, filters and lenses, as used with our patients, is far more effective than home-based therapy.