{"id":14039,"date":"2021-06-16T05:24:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T05:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=14039"},"modified":"2021-07-21T07:12:25","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T07:12:25","slug":"convergence-insufficiency-and-reading","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/vision-therapy\/vision-therapy-for-children\/convergence-insufficiency-2\/convergence-insufficiency-faqs\/convergence-insufficiency-and-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"Convergence Insufficiency and Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parents of school-age children who struggle with reading and learning are often searching for solutions.<\/h2>\n

One of the most frequent questions asked by parents is, <\/b>\u201cWhy does my bright child continue to have difficulty with reading fluency in the classroom?\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

We thank Dr Dan Fortenbacher for the context of this page, which is based on Dr Dan\u2019s blog on the VisionHelp website; \u2018The importance of finding the hidden link between vision and reading to help the struggling child<\/i><\/a>.\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n

To provide some direction, two years ago the VisionHelp Group interviewed educational specialist, Wendy Rosen, author of the book, \u2018The Hidden Link Between Vision and Learning, Why Millions of Learning Disabled Children are Misdiagnosed\u2019<\/i>.<\/p>\n

In her video, \u2018Misdiagnosing Learning Disabilities\u2019, <\/i>Wendy mentions the diagnosis, \u201cConvergence Insufficiency\u201d, a binocular vision dysfunction usually associated with a reduced convergence ability<\/a> and commonly identified with the Red\/Green Penlight Near Point of Convergence (NPC) test.<\/p>\n

This test which can be done in about 30 seconds is one tool in the optometrist\u2019s use to evaluate a patient\u2019s vision skills.<\/p>\n

Harvard Medical School<\/b><\/h2>\n

Harvard Medical School research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology entitled: \u2018Receded Near Point of Convergence is Not Diagnostic of Convergence Insufficiency\u2019<\/i>.<\/b><\/p>\n

What they found was that the majority (89%) of post-concussed patients had a reduced near point of convergence (NPC).<\/p>\n

Other results showed that these patients also had high incidence of;<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Poor visual tracking (oculomotor dysfunction)<\/li>\n
  2. Reduced eye focusing problems (accommodative dysfunction) and<\/li>\n
  3. Difficulties with eye teaming and<\/li>\n
  4. Problems with focusing flexibility (binocular vergence\/accommodative dysfunction)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The conclusions by the JAO Harvard researchers was that, \u201cBecause treatment options for the various oculomotor dysfunctions differ, it is prudent that these patients undergo a <\/i>thorough examination of their vergence and accommodative systems<\/i><\/b> so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment prescribed.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

    Any child with reading or learning difficulties should have a comprehensive evaluation process, including the assessment of their convergence skills<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    If your child requires a comprehensive eye exam, contact an eye doctor<\/b><\/a> near you to provide the correct diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n

    SEE RELATED:<\/strong> Convergence Excess<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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