To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: More Effective Treatment Identified for Convergence Insufficiency URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/22ECA6.htm Doctor's Guide October 14, 2008
BETHESDA, Md -- October 14, 2008 -- Office-based treatment by a trained therapist along with at-home reinforcement is more effective in treating convergence insufficiency (CI) than home-based therapy alone, according to a study published in the October 13 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. "This study compared the effectiveness of treatment options for convergence insufficiency," said Paul A. Sieving, MD, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland. "The [Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial] will provide eye care professionals with the research they need to assist children with this condition." The study compared 3 forms of vision therapy and a placebo therapy option in 221 children aged 9 to 17 years. The first therapy option was the current treatment standard of home-based pencil push-up therapy. The second group used home-based pencil push-ups with additional computer vision therapy, and the third attended weekly hour-long sessions of office-based vision therapy with a trained therapist and performed at-home reinforcement exercises. The last group was given placebo vision activities designed to simulate office-based therapy. After 12 weeks of treatment, nearly 75% of children who were given the office-based vision therapy along with at-home reinforcement achieved normal vision or had significantly fewer symptoms of CI. Only 43% of patients who completed home-based therapy alone showed similar results, as did 33% of patients who used home-based pencil push-ups plus computer therapy, and 35% of patients given a placebo office-based therapy. "Once diagnosed, CI can be successfully treated with office-based vision therapy by a trained therapist along with at-home reinforcement. This is very encouraging news for parents, educators, and anyone who may know a child diagnosed with CI," said principal investigator Mitchell Scheiman, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. A 12-month follow-up study is being conducted to examine the long-term effects of these CI treatments. SOURCE: National Institutes of Health --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.