CONDITIONS
DISEASE & MANAGEMENT
Accommodative (Focusing) Dysfunctions
Cataracts
Cornea Cross-Linking
Contact Lens & Eyeware
Convergence Excess (BV Disorder)
Convergence Insufficiency (BV Disorder)
Developmental Disability
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes
Double Vision
Dry Eye
Electrophysiology
Eyelid Bump / Swelling
Eye Pain or Eyelid Pain
Flashes or Floaters in Vision
Glaucoma
Glasses & Eyeware
Keratoconus Management
Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Loss of Vision
Macular Degeneration
Myopia Management
Occupational Therapy
Ocularmotor Dysfunction
Ocular Prosthetics
Optic Neuritis
Red Eye
Retinal Tear & Detachment
Refractive Error
Strabismus & Amblyopia
Traumatic Brain Injury
Trauma
Vision Disorders
Vision Rehabilitation
CONVERGENCE EXCESS
DESCRIPTION
Convergence excess is the inability to maintain binocular function (keeping the two eyes working together) while doing close work such as reading or using a computer. The eyes struggle to work together or one eye may turn inward too much when trying to focus on a word or close object.
SYMPTOMS
• Double vision
• Headaches while reading
• Difficulty concentrating on close work
• Blurred vision after reading for prolonged periods of time
• Closing one eye while reading
TREATMENT
A comprehensive eye examination (with dilating drops) and/or a visual efficiency exam (VEE) is performed by an eye care professional to evaluate patients with signs and symptoms of convergence excess and rule out eye disease.
Early detection and treatment is especially important in children because this condition may have a negative effect on future school and work performance.
The first choice in treatment is use of eyeglasses for reading only, or full-time wear glasses with bifocal or multi-focal lenses. These glasses allow the eyes to relax their focus during close work, and to team together more efficiently. Convergence excess can also be treated by vision therapy to help develop the ability to relax convergence.
IS CONVERGENCE EXCESS PERMANENT?
If eyeglasses are prescribed for convergence excess, patients will likely need to continue wearing them in order to avoid symptoms. Patients with convergence excess may be cured after vision therapy, although this treatment can take significant time. Convergence excess may come back after illness, lack of sleep, or increased close work demands, and more vision therapy (or eyeglasses) may be needed.
SERVICE AREAS PROVIDING TREATMENT
Pediatrics, Binocular Vision, and Vision Therapy Service