Accommodative Dysfunction (Eye Focusing Disorder)

ABOUT Accommodative Dysfunction

An Accommodative Dysfunction is an eye focusing problem that affects a child or young adult’s ability to focus their eyes properly. The eyes’ ability to accommodate is a vital visual function that allows us to read and perform many daily tasks.

DETAILS

To effectively read with accuracy and efficiency in the classroom or perform in the work environment, the eyes need to accommodate (focus) in three essential ways. First, the eyes must have the strength to sustain focus on the printed material for an extended period. Second, the eyes must have a high degree of precision to see the print clearly. Third, the eyes must have the flexibility to change focus from near to far to properly acquire visual information in the environment. Therefore, for efficient reading, learning, and working our eyes must engage in the following accommodation (eye focusing) abilities.

  • Amplitude of Accommodation – This refers to the strength of the eyes’ ability to focus on a near object. The higher the amplitude of accommodation, the closer an object can be held to the eyes and sustained in focus for a more extended period.
  • Accuracy of Accommodation – This refers to the ability to adjust the lens system of the eyes with precision to maintain optimal clarity of the viewed object.
  • Agility of Accommodation – This refers to the ability to adjust and change focus from near to far rapidly and without effort.

For most children, these accommodative abilities are generally well developed by age 4-5 years old and usually work efficiently well into middle-age adulthood. However, an Accommodative Dysfunction can exist due to a delay in normal visual development or as a result of a concussion (mTBI) or more serious traumatic brain injury (TBI).

When a child or young adult has an Accommodative Dysfunction, they may also be identified with one of the following specific diagnoses:

  • Accommodative Insufficiency – a low amplitude/ strength to sustain near focus
  • Accommodative Excess – an excessive, over-focusing error of near visual tasks
  • Accommodative Infacility – poor/sluggish eye focusing flexibility from near to far

Those with this condition often struggle with:

  • Eye discomfort and/or headaches (usually frontal headaches) with sustained close work like reading
  • Squinting, blinking and rubbing eyes
  • Trouble copying from the chalkboard
  • Blurred vision when reading small print
  • Vision becomes worse by the end of the day
  • Reduced attention in the classroom, work and/or independent reading
  • Poor reading comprehension

TREATMENT

A critical component of accommodative dysfunction treatment is a proper lens prescription. Using lenses in conjunction with an office-based model of vision therapy helps build the strength, accuracy, and flexibility of accommodation to improve binocular vision (vergence).

At Wow Vision Therapy, we are a leading developmental and rehabilitative vision therapy practice. Our advanced office-based approach goes beyond basic at-home treatment. Our doctors and board-certified vision therapists provide innovative vision therapy that incorporates coordinated movement, balance, auditory processing and cognitive skills. We address vision problems like Accommodative Dysfunction with a personalized approach. Each session is one-on-one (therapist-to-patient), conducted under doctor supervision. Our providers utilize the most advanced technology, including in-office and home support virtual reality. This methodology allows our patients to develop their visual abilities and improve daily living in the classroom, the workplace, and in sports.

Our advanced treatment includes:

  • Visual Processing Development
  • Eye-Hand Coordination Development
  • Binocular Vision Therapy
  • Visual Imagery Therapy
  • Visual-Motor Integration Development
  • Visual-Vestibular Integration Development

RESULTS

Our patients report the elimination of:

  • Nearpoint blur
  • Eye fatigue
  • Visual stress headaches

In addition, our patients report improvements in:

  • Attention and concentration
  • Reading ability
  • Copying abilities
  • Classroom performance
  • Work efficiency and endurance
  • Sports performance
  • Confidence

Testimonials

Watching Ben change as a reader this year has been a complete blessing. We actually have a reader now! It makes me teary-eyed to realize we now have a confident reader because of Vision Therapy.

- Audra

Once Camryn started therapy at Wow Vision Therapy, we started seeing improvements within weeks. We were truly amazed! I will never forget the day that Camryn brought home her first 90% on a reading quiz. She was so proud of herself!

- Sarah

Now that she has completed VT, she is able and wants to read independently. She has developed a new self-confidence that I don’t think she otherwise would have. I would recommend Wow Vision Therapy to parents who are struggling with how to help their child. I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to do it finally!

- Michele

Carter improved in writing, reading comprehension, and math. It was so exciting to see all of these achievements on his report card! I can say with all my heart that he improved this much all because of vision therapy.

- Nicole

Isaac has made so many improvements since starting/finishing his therapy. His reading fluency improved, he is making fewer mistakes when reading, he knows his 5th-grade sight words, his handwriting improved dramatically, and many more improvements we can’t see.

- Leah

Since starting vision therapy, Grayson’s writing has improved, and he can now read stories without skipping words. He can read more fluently and is doing better in school. He has also improved with his hand-eye coordination and is doing better in sports.

- Deanna

Grayson says that words are no longer fuzzing when reading and can read along without having to use his finger to find his spot in the story.

- Deanna

GET IN TOUCH

To learn more, please fill out the form below and one of our Patient Care Coordinators will be in touch to answer your questions or help schedule an evaluation for you.


Research

Accommodative function in school children with reading difficulties

Treatment of Accommodative Dysfunction in Children: Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial

Accommodative Insufficiency Is the Primary Source of Symptoms in Children Diagnosed With Convergence Insufficiency

Research update on Visually-Based Reading Disability

The scientific basis for and efficacy of optometric vision therapy in nonstrabismic accommodative and vergence disorders.