What Is Convergence Insufficiency and How Is It Treated?

Understanding Convergence Insufficiency

To understand convergence insufficiency, we first have to understand convergence itself. Think of your eyes as a team that works together. When you look at something far away, your eyes are essentially parallel. As that object gets closer, your eyes naturally turn inward to focus on that single point. This coordinated inward movement is called convergence.

Convergence insufficiency is when your eyes struggle to maintain this inward focus for extended periods. In our modern world of computers, phones, and constant reading, the demand for sustained close-up convergence is higher than ever before. This makes the condition far more impactful today than it would have been in the past.

The Hidden Symptoms

Your brain is a masterful problem solver, but it often communicates visual problems in surprising ways. It won’t directly tell you, “Hey, your eyes are struggling to converge.” Instead, the strain from your eyes’ extra effort often manifests as other physical symptoms. You might experience headaches, neck aches, or general physical discomfort, all of which can be traced back to the underlying effort your body is making to maintain a comfortable visual focus.

Two Paths to Relief

When it comes to addressing convergence insufficiency, there are two primary strategies. The first, and often quicker, solution is the use of prism lenses. These are special lenses built into your glasses that subtly bend light. By doing so, they reduce the amount of work your eyes have to do to converge. It’s a bit like providing a crutch for your visual system.

The second, and more lasting, solution is vision therapy. This is a series of specific exercises designed to strengthen your eye muscles and improve your binocular vision. A common tool is the Brock string, which helps you practice and build endurance in your eyes’ ability to work together. While prism offers immediate relief, the positive effects of vision therapy, once the skills are developed, tend to be long-lasting.

Charlie Saccarelli

President, Chadwick Optical

As President of Chadwick Optical, Charlie Saccarelli is the driving force behind the company’s mission to help every patient left behind by the current health care system. Under his leadership, Chadwick has grown from a simple optical lab into a trusted resource for practitioners around the world looking for ways to help the patients that “can’t be helped.” He is a master optician, a father, a bit of a nerd, and a passionate patient advocate who has lectured worldwide on all things optical.