Treating paediatric convergence

Office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement (OBVAT) is the most effective method of treating symptomatic convergence insufficiency when compared with any other home- or office-based placebo or therapy, according to study results published in the October issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Stacey Coulter, OD of Nova Southeastern University, Florida, US and colleagues conducted the 12-week Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) in subjects aged 9–17 years (n=221), who were randomized to receive OBVAT, home-based pencil push-ups (HBPP), office-based placebo therapy with home reinforcement (OBPT) or home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy and pencil push-ups (HBCVAT+) treatment.

At 12 weeks, the Covergence Insufficiency Symptom Scores for the OBVAT, HBPP, OBPT and HBCVAT+ therapies were 15.1, 24.7, 21.9 and 21.3, respectively. The success or improvement rates for each of these therapies were 73%, 43%, 35% and 33%, respectively.

Based on these results, Dr Coulter's team concluded that OBVAT is the best method of treating convergence insufficiency.