Wow Vision Therapy Blog

Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a vision problem that can dramatically affect a child’s ability’s in reading. It is a condition that affects millions of children. Research showsåÊthat CI can occur as often as 5-15% of children in a general pediatric population. Even more important, children who exhibit reading problems have a much higher frequency of CI.

A common symptom in patients with CI is double vision when reading. However, a child with CI will not usuallyåÊcome to their parents and say, “Mom, I have double vision when I try to read!” The reason is they usually assume everyone sees that way.

What can parents do? What can teachers do? What can doctors do?

The important thing to do is to ask the right questions. One of the most useful ways to identify a symptomatic child withåÊCI is to ask questions that are common difficulties experienced by a person with CI.

Researchers in the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) created a handy symptom checklist. This checklist asks the right questions plus asks for a “grade” on each symptom from 0-4. It is called the CI Symptom Survey (CISS). In the CITT Research project those patients who had a total score of 16 or greater on theåÊCISS where those who were chosen to participate in the study.

You can download the same symptom survey right here on the EXCELerated Vision Blog. Download Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey

Parents, teachers and doctors can use this CI Symptom Survey (CISS) to help recognize the child who may have the symptoms of CI that would warrant a comprehensive binocular vision examination. Simply answer the survey and tally up the score. Take action to find a doctor if the symptom score is greater than 20.

To find a doctor nearest you who understands CI and how to treat this condition, go the Doctor Locator at the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

If you are in Southwest Michigan or Northern Indiana/Illinois contact WoW Vision Therapy Center.

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D.,FCOVD