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Effectiveness of vision therapy for convergence dysfunctions and long‐term stability after vision therapy
Author(s) -
Shin Hoy Sun,
Park Sang Chul,
Maples Willis C
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00821.x
Subject(s) - medicine , convergence insufficiency , quality of life (healthcare) , pediatrics , physical therapy , treatment and control groups , ophthalmology , nursing
Citation information: Shin HS, Park SC & Maples WC. Effectiveness of vision therapy for convergence dysfunctions and long‐term stability after vision therapy. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31 , 180–189. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00821.x Abstract Background: Symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) is a common binocular dysfunction. It is often associated with accommodative insufficiency (AI). Optimum therapy for this condition was recently shown to be in‐clinic vision therapy (VT). More scientific studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of VT and verify these evidence‐based results. Methods: Fifty‐seven children aged 9–13 years were diagnosed with symptomatic CI ( n = 27) or combined symptomatic CI and AI ( n = 30). They were independently divided into a treatment and a control group, matched by age and gender. The treatment group received 12 weeks of VT while the control group received no therapy. A quality of life instrument documented the symptomatic patients and charted improvement in symptoms after therapy. Clinical aspects were also assessed to determine the treatment effects on clinical findings. Twenty children in the treatment group completed a 1 year follow‐up examination. Results: Symptom scores and clinical measures of the treatment and control groups were not significantly different at baseline ( p > 0.05), but showed significant differences after completion of 12 weeks of treatment ( p < 0.001). No significant changes of either symptoms or signs were evident for the control group. One year follow‐up examination revealed that most children maintained the improved symptom and clinical measures after VT. Conclusion: This study supports the notion that VT is a successful method of treating CI and CI combined with AI.