| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 1 | Page : 5-9 |
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Efficacy of home-based vision therapy for convergence insufficiency in secondary schools' students
Layali Ibrahim Hassan1, Samira Mohamed Ibrahim2, Mustafa Abdu3
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Dibba Hospital, Dibba, Sultanate of Oman
2 Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
3 Department of Contact Lenses, Faculty of Optometry and Visual Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
Correspondence Address:
Layali Ibrahim Hassan
Department of Ophthalmology, Dibba Hospital, P.O. Box 9, P.C 800, Dibba, Sultanate of Oman
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/sjopthal.sjopthal_11_17
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Background: Convergence insufficiency (CI) is one of the most common causes of ocular discomfort among students that it may have a negative effect on the student's school performance. Although various treatments are prescribed for patients with CI, there is a lack of studies regarding the most effective treatment. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of four home-based vision therapy (VT) techniques in the treatment of symptomatic CI. Materials and Methods: A Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial was conducted in Central Khartoum North (Central Bahri) in Sudan. A total of 273 students with mean age of 15.5 ± 2.5 years with symptomatic CI were assigned to one of the four TV groups: Pencil push-Up (n = 66), Cat card (n = 65), Brock string (n = 66), Dot card (n = 66) against placebo control group (n = 66). Data were collected using three outcome measurements: Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey score, Near Point of Convergence (NPC), and Positive Fusional Vergence (PFV) at near. Data were collected at baseline, after 3 weeks and at the end 6 weeks of treatment. The participants were advised to do this exercise at home 10 min per day, for 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Results: After 6 weeks of treatment, Dot card therapy group showed the best result in eliminating CI symptoms score by the mean value of 13.59 points (P < 0.001). Pencil push-up therapy group showed the best result in improving NPC by the mean value of 5.60 cm (P < 0.001). However, Cat card therapy group showed the best result in improving PFV by mean value of 7.32 PD (P < 0.001). Conclusions: All four home-based VT techniques were significantly reduced symptoms and improved NPC and PFV. The home-based VT techniques are effective option for treating symptomatic CI. There is no unified treatment suitable for all patients with CI. Therapist should deal with each patient separately.
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