Wow Vision Therapy Blog

When is it OK to “wait and see” if the problem goes away on it’s own?

What if your 6 year old childåÊhas been diagnosed with a binocular vision problem that appears to beåÊinterfering with her learning to read? You are seeing behaviors that look like she can’t concentrate on books. Her teacher is spotting some signs of trouble but can’t be sure that it is “her eyes”. You take her to an eye doctor who makes the diagnosis of a binocular vision problem called convergence insufficiency butåÊdismisses treatment “for now” and opts for monitoring the problem.åÊBut, is it really ok toåÊjust wait and see?

As strange as it may sound, an outdated approach often recommended by many eye doctors when faced with a young patient (often 4-7 years old)åÊdiagnosed with certain forms of eye coordination problems, such as convergence insufficiency, is to simply monitor the condition and see if it goes awayåÊit’s own. In other words, no treatment is recommended.

In response to this and other vision problems in children, the University ofåÊOregon Brain Development Lab has just produced this video onåÊvision and the developingåÊbrain.åÊSee what the neuroscientists and the research is showing about the importance of early intervention.

Then check out the story of a mom (below) who wouldn’t acceptåÊ”NO” for an answer when told that her 6 year old daughter (with convergence insufficiency) was too young to be treated.

Find out how a persistent mom dealt with this problem with her own 6 year old daughter. Read the heartwarming and inspirational story from Paige Melendres in Albuquerque,åÊwho was not comfortable with the “wait and see” recommendation by her first doctor.åÊ Her story can be found byåÊclicking onåÊ CI:The Private Eye Goes Public -Part 1åÊand scroll down to comment #8. Her story has a happy ending and good advice for parents who may have a child who is struggling.

CI: The Private Eye Goes Public is a åÊVisionHelpåÊBlogåÊinvestigational series written by Dr. Leonard Press and Dr. Dan Fortenbacher dedicated to uncovering theåÊimportant public healthåÊand patient care issuesåÊsurrounding convergence insufficiency.

Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FCOVD