Watch the COVD interview with Dr. Scheiman

Watch this interview and find out what Convergence Insufficiency is and why parents and educators need to know more about it.  

Dr. Mitchell Scheiman, FCOVD, completed a major study that was funded by the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to determine the most effective treatment for Convergence Insufficiency.  It was a collaborative study with both optometrists and ophthalmologists in 9 sites throughout the U.S., including the Mayo Clinic, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and The Ratner Children's Eye Center.  

While there have been hundreds of optometric studies over the years, this is the first scientific study to look at these treatment protocols.  The study, Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT), found that approximately 75 percent of those who received in-office therapy by a trained therapist plus at-home treatment reported fewer and less severe symptoms related to reading and other near work after the office-based vision therapy.

"There are no visible signs of this condition; it can only be detected and diagnosed during a comprehensive eye examination," said Dr. Scheiman.  "However, as this study shows, once diagnosed, CI can be successfully treated with office-based vision therapy by a trained therapist along with at-home reinforcement."

If you think you or your child has convergence insufficiency, ask your eye doctor's office manager if they provide an in-office vision therapy program.  If they do not, find an optometrist that does below.

Locate a Doctor near you for a comprehensive eye exam.