What is Convergence Insufficiency?
Convergence insufficiency is the inability to maintain binocular function when working at a near distance. Usually one of the eyes will turn outward when focusing on object at near.
What are the Symptoms Resulting from Convergence Insufficiency?
Patients who suffer from convergence insufficiency may experience double vision when performing near work or headaches when reading. Patients may also complain that they have difficulty concentrating when performing near work and that written words may move around and become blurry after prolonged periods of reading.
How is Convergence Insufficiency treated?
Convergence insufficiency is typically treated through convergence exercises. These are exercises that strengthen one’s ability to converge one’s eyes when performing near work. Another method is to use base-out prisms that force the system to work harder to converge and thereby increase convergence tone. If the patient does not respond to the mentioned therapies, base-in prims can also be used in reading glasses to artificially align the eyes for reading. This treatment, however, will make it more difficult for patients to develop stronger convergence on their own. In rare cases, surgical intervention with eye muscle surgery may be considered.
Source: American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus