Randomised clinical trial of the effectiveness of base-in prism reading glasses versus placebo reading glasses for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children.
OBJECTIVE
To compare base-in prism reading glasses with placebo reading glasses for the treatment of symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) in children aged 9 to <18 years.


METHODS
In a randomised clinical trial, 72 children aged 9 to <18 years with symptomatic CI were assigned to either base-in prism glasses or placebo reading glasses. Symptom level, measured with a quantitative symptom questionnaire (CI Symptom Survey-V15), was the primary outcome measure. Near point of convergence and positive fusional vergence at near were secondary outcomes.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) CI Symptom Survey score decreased (that is, less symptomatic) in both groups (base-in prism glasses from 31.6 (10.4) to 16.5 (9.2); placebo glasses from 28.4 (8.8) to 17.5 (12.3)). The change in the CI Symptom Survey scores (p = 0.33), near point of convergence (p = 0.91), and positive fusional vergence (p = 0.59) were not significantly different between the two groups after 6 weeks of wearing glasses.


CONCLUSIONS
Base-in prism reading glasses were found to be no more effective in alleviating symptoms, improving the near point of convergence, or improving positive fusional vergence at near than placebo reading glasses for the treatment of children aged 9 to <18 years with symptomatic CI.
Scheiman
M
M
Eye Institute, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 1200 West Godfrey Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA. mscheiman@pco.edu
Cotter
S
S
Rouse
M
M
Mitchell
G L
GL
Kulp
M
M
Cooper
J
J
Borsting
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003290:Convergence, Ocular; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009907:Optometry / Q000379:methods; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018579:Patient Selection; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome