Research

 The study in the Open Ophthalmology Journal reviews the prevalence and management options for convergence insufficiency (CI). It systematically analyzes various studies to determine how common CI is and evaluates the effectiveness of different treatments. The findings highlight that CI is a common binocular vision disorder and that treatments such as vision therapy and prism glasses are effective in managing the condition. The meta-analysis underscores the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management to improve visual comfort and performance in affected individuals. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18743641-v17-20230712-2023-8

 A recent systematic review and network meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Library assessed the comparative effectiveness of various non-surgical treatments for convergence insufficiency (CI). The review included 12 randomized controlled trials involving 1289 participants, both children and adults.

The findings indicated that office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement is significantly more effective in achieving treatment success compared to home-based therapies and placebo. This therapy showed the highest success rates in improving clinical measures of convergence and symptom relief. In contrast, home-based therapies and prism glasses were less effective. The study underscores the importance of tailored, structured treatments for managing CI to improve patient outcomes.

https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006768.pub3

The study by Falkenberg, Johansen, and Thorud investigates the impact of digital device use on adolescents aged 11 to 13 years. The research involved 50 participants and found that increased screen time and shorter viewing distances were significantly associated with higher incidences of headaches, eyestrain, and neck pain. Notably, 12% of participants experienced headaches, while 31% reported tired eyes and 29% experienced neck pain during device use. Additionally, children with these symptoms were less physically active. The study emphasizes the importance of good visual ergonomics and regular physical activity to prevent these symptoms in adolescents. 

https://doi.org/10.5384/sjovs.vol13i2p8-14

A recent study found that combining vision therapy with standard treatments significantly helps children aged 7-10 with lazy eye (amblyopia).

 Key Points:

• Better Vision: Kids who had vision therapy improved their eyesight more than those who didn’t.
• Faster Results: Those in the vision therapy group got better quicker, in about 3.6 months compared to 4.4 months for the others.
• Lasting Improvement: The benefits of vision therapy lasted even after the treatment ended.

This study shows that vision therapy can be a powerful addition to traditional treatments for improving vision in children with amblyopia.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-022-02246-9

 A recent study compared active vision therapy (AVT) and traditional patching therapy for treating amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, in children aged 5-16 years. The study found that both treatments significantly improved visual acuity, or clarity of vision. However, AVT stood out in enhancing stereoacuity, which is crucial for depth perception and 3D vision. This makes AVT particularly beneficial for developing better binocular vision in children. Additionally, AVT showed greater improvements in severe cases of amblyopia compared to patching.

In AVT, children underwent exercises designed to strengthen eye muscles and improve coordination. These exercises were carried out in three phases: monocular (one eye at a time), biocular (both eyes separately), and binocular (both eyes together). On the other hand, patching involved children wearing a patch over their stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work harder.

Overall, the study suggests that AVT offers a more comprehensive approach to treating lazy eye, especially for enhancing depth perception and benefiting severe cases

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optom.2023.100484

A detailed analysis of Brendan T. Barrett's 2009 paper, which critiques the evidence supporting behavioural vision therapy, has revealed several key points. Critics often cite Barrett’s paper to argue against behavioural optometry, but a closer look at his work shows several weaknesses and outdated conclusions. 

Key Findings:

1. Evidence for Behavioural Optometry: Contrary to Barrett's assertions, substantial evidence supports the efficacy of behavioural vision therapy, especially for conditions like convergence insufficiency and accommodative dysfunctions.
2. Outdated Research: Barrett’s review, primarily based on studies available until 2009, overlooks more recent research validating behavioural optometry practices.
3. Misinterpretation of Data: Barrett often begins sections by claiming a lack of evidence but then cites studies that actually support behavioural vision therapy, undermining his own arguments.

The analysis concludes that there is robust and growing evidence for behavioural vision therapy's effectiveness. Barrett's paper, while influential, does not accurately reflect the current state of research and evidence in the field. Therefore, it is essential to consider more recent studies and broader literature when evaluating the efficacy of behavioural optometry.

https://www.acbo.org.au/images/News_Views_FAQs/Evidence_landing_page/A_Discussion_and_Analysis_of_Barrett_Paper.pdf

This series of studies, funded by the National Eye Institute, demonstrated that vision therapy is an effective treatment for convergence insufficiency in children. Office-based therapy was found to be more effective than home-based therapy, and home-based pencil push-ups were no more effective than placebo therapy.

10.1080/09286580701772037

10.1111/cxo.12953

10.1111/aos.14172

Both reduced rapid automatised naming and visual motor integration were associated with poorer reading outcomes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001032