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Adults with binocular vision dysfunction improved after vision therapy
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Twelve weeks of computer vision therapy resulted in meaningful improvements for adults with binocular vision dysfunction caused by brain injury, according to a study in Optometry and Vision Science.
These findings, along with previous research, suggests the presence of neuroplasticity, the researchers wrote.
A total of 19 adults were enrolled in the study, with 13 completing the full 12 weeks. The mean amount of time that passed from date of brain injury to date of baseline study visit was 2.2 years.
At baseline, the mean phoria was orthophoria at distance and 7.2 exophoria at near. Mean negative fusional vergence value at 40 cm was 12.3 to blur and 10.3 to recovery, according to researchers. Mean point of convergence break was 17.5 cm and recovery was 21.8 cm. Mean CISS score at baseline was 32.1 out of a maximum score of 60.
The most commonly reported symptoms were slow reading, difficulty concentrating while reading, having to re-read lines of text, trouble remembering what was read and frequent loss of place, according to researchers.
Of the 13 participants who completed the study, at the 12-week outcome visit, researchers found a mean phoria of orthophoria at distance and 5.8 exophoria at near. Mean negative fusional vergence value at 40 cm was 16.8 to blur and 14.3 to recovery.
Repeated measures ANOVA for negative fusional vergence showed statistical significance for improvement (increase) in base-in to blur, break and recovery from baseline to outcome, according to researchers.
Furthermore, near point of convergence break and recovery showed improvements (decreases) as well.
Researchers also found repeated measure ANOVA overall improvement (increase) in vergence facility from baseline to outcome. CISS score improved (decreased) at outcome from baseline.
Further research is needed to compare the effectiveness of different convergence insufficiency therapies, such as in-office and home-based treatments, the researchers explained.
Home-based therapy is commonly practiced, convenient and time-flexible when mobility and transportation are an issue, the researchers concluded. – Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.
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