MONTENARE EYE CARE
& VISION THERAPY
Convergence
Convergence is defined as the simultaneous inward movement of both eyes, as if you were looking at the tip of your nose. Try putting one finger out in front of you and watch it as you move it toward your nose - your eyes are making a convergence movement.
Function
Convergence allows for both eyes to aim simultaneously on a near target. This maintains single binocular vision and prevents double vision.
Convergence Excess
Convergence excess is a condition in which the eyes rotate inward too much when looking at a near target. Some people like to think of it as a "muscle spasm" that causes the eyes to go into misalignment. This condition can have a significant impact on one's ability to perform sustained near work.
Convergence excess may be functional in nature, in which a person fails to develop normal eye teaming abilities. It may also be due to an acquired brain injury such as from a concussion. In both cases, vision therapy is the treatment of choice. In some cases, convergence excess may be due to organic causes such as myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis (MS), or a viral infection and would require the consult of an ophthalmologist or neurologist.
Signs and Symptoms
These symptoms are generally related to the use of the eyes for reading or other close work:
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Blurred vision
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Double vision
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Eyestrain
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Headaches
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Reading problems
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Sleepiness
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Difficulty concentrating on reading or other near work
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Loss of comprehension over time
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A pulling sensation around the eyes
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Movement of the print
Treatment
Vision therapy is the treatment of choice for convergence insufficiency. A therapy program should emphasize the ability to converge the eyes with accuracy and stamina, as well as its integration with accommodative ("eye focusing") and oculomotor ("eye tracking") skills. In some cases, prism glasses (i.e. special lenses that assist with eye alignment) may provide immediate relief of symptoms.