Efficacy of vision therapy for convergence insufficiency in an adult male population.
BACKGROUND
Although vision therapy has reportedly been very successful in elimination of asthenopic symptoms in adults with convergence insufficiency, controlled studies have not been performed, and a clinical bias exists against prescribing vision therapy for adults with convergence insufficiency.


METHODS
Sixty adult males over the age of 40 years (median age, 65 years) with convergence insufficiency were divided into three treatment groups: office-based vision therapy with supplementary home therapy, home therapy only, and a control group.


RESULTS
Vision therapy was successful in 61.9% of patients who received in-office plus home therapy, in 30% of patients who received home therapy only, and in 10.5% of the control group. The success rate for patients who received active in-office vision therapy supplemented with home procedures was significantly greater than that for controls. Home therapy alone was less successful than in-office therapy. The success rate obtained with home therapy alone was not significantly greater than that demonstrated by controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Vision therapy is effective in eliminating asthenopia and improving convergence function in adult patients. In-office therapy combined with home therapy tends to produce better results than does home therapy alone.
Birnbaum
M H
MH
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA.
Soden
R
R
Cohen
A H
AH
D000328:Adult; D003290:Convergence, Ocular; D005099:Exotropia / Q000628:therapy*; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012683:Sensory Deprivation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity