Convergence Insufficiency

Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a condition in which your eyes do not move in coordination. When you stare at a close item, one or both eyes shift outward if you have this condition.

This can result in eye strain, headaches, or vision difficulties such as double vision or blurred vision. It also makes it difficult to read and concentrate. Convergence insufficiency affects people of all ages; however, it is more frequent in young adults.

In most cases, convergence insufficiency is identified in school-aged children and adolescents. It can make it difficult to read, leading parents and teachers to believe the kid has learning issues instead of an eye problem.

What Are The Symptoms?

When you conduct near visual activity, like reading, you are more likely to notice signs of CI. If you do this over an extended time, you are more likely to develop symptoms. Symptoms might also be triggered by extreme exhaustion (fatigue). Symptoms to look out for include:

• Headache
• Doubtful perception
• Tired eyes
• Vision is hazy
• When reading, you become sleepy
• Having trouble remembering what you have read
• trouble focusing on what you’re reading
• When reading, you frequently lose your position
• Words appear to float, leap, or move around on the page

Others might observe that one of your eyes occasionally blinks or see you squinting or shutting one eye while reading.

What causes a lack of Convergence?

Experts are still baffled as to what causes CI. There might be issues with the brain’s and eye’s intricate movements. CI may be caused in part by genes.

A medical problem may have a role in developing CI in some situations. These are some of them:

• Concussion and head injury
• Graves’ disease(a chronic illness)
• Myasthenia gravis(a kind of myasthenia)
• Parkinson’s disease(a neurological disorder)
• Alzheimer’s disease

How is it Diagnosed?

Because people with convergence insufficiency may generally have normal vision, it’s crucial to tell your eye doctor if you have any reading or learning problems. Your eye doctor may use the following tests to determine if you have convergence insufficiency:

• Try looking at your medical history. This might include inquiries regarding concentrating issues, blurred or double vision, migraines, other symptoms, and health history.

• Calculate the convergence point’s proximity (NPC). This test determines the distance between your eyes and the point where both eyes can focus without causing double vision. The doctor places a small object in front of you, such as a pen, and steadily brings it closer until you get double vision or the examiner notices an eye drifting outward.

• Check for Positive Fusional Vergence (PFV). During this test, you’ll be asked to read letters from an eye chart while wearing prism lenses. When you start having double vision, the doctor will notice.

What are the available Treatments?

You don’t require therapy if convergence insufficiency isn’t creating symptoms. However, eye-focusing exercises can help persons with symptoms improve their convergence ability.

Treatment may involve the following, which may be done in the clinic or at home with the help of a good professional:

Pencil Pushups

In this exercise, you concentrate on a little symbol on the side of a pencil as you move it closer to your nose’s bridge, stopping when you see a double. The exercise is usually done for 15 minutes per day, five days a week or more. The exercise is usually done for 15 minutes per day, five days a week or more.

Vision Therapy using a Computer

On a computer, eye-focusing exercises are performed with applications designed to increase convergence. You can print the findings to provide to your optometrist.

When should I consult a Doctor?

Contact a doctor if your kid develops CI symptoms while undertaking up-close tasks, like reading.

What are some of the Questions I should ask my Doctor?

If you have CI, you should consult your doctor about the following:

• Have you conducted the tests required to diagnose CI? 
• Could you recommend someone who can help me with the workout treatments?
• How long will it take to complete the treatment?

People with CI can instantly resume their daily activities. Close-up activities will become easier as a result of therapy.