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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffNot everyone with convergence insufficiency experiences symptoms. Signs and symptoms occur while you're reading or doing other close work and may include:
- Tired, sore or uncomfortable eyes (eyestrain)
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty reading — words seem to float on the page, you lose your place or you read slowly
- Double vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- A "pulling" feeling around your eyes
- Sleepiness
- Squinting, rubbing or closing one eye
When to see a doctor
If you or your child experiences symptoms of convergence insufficiency or has problems reading, consult an eye care professional, such as an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. A technician called an orthoptist may assist the eye care professional in evaluating and treating convergence insufficiency.
- Convergence insufficiency. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. http://www.aapos.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=76. Accessed June 12, 2009.
- Wallace DK. Treatment options for symptomatic convergence insufficiency. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2008;126:1455.
- Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial Study Group. Randomized clinical trial of treatments for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2008;126:1336.
- More effective treatment identified for common childhood vision disorder. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/pressreleases/101308.asp.
- Scheiman M, et al. Treatment of convergence insufficiency in childhood: A current perspective. Optometry and Vision Science. 2009;86:420.
- Maples WS, et al. Near point of convergence norms measured in elementary school children. Optometry and Vision Science. 2007;84:224.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 9, 2009.
