PREVALENCE OF CONVERGENCE INSUFFICIENCY IN PEDRIACTIC GROUP CHILDREN: A POPULATION BASED STUDY

Namrata Srivastava*, Deepak Gupta and Mahesh Chandra

ABSTRACT

Background: Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a sensory problem that affects the binocular vision system and leads to an inability to properly maintain convergence during visual tasks. Objective: To determine the prevalence of convergence insufficiency in a nonclinical sample of Pedriactic Group. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional population based study consisted of 428 children: 209 males and 219 females, with an average age of 6-12 years. Participants underwent a comprehensive visual evaluation, including tests for monocular and binocular visual acuity, binocular vision and convergence insufficiency. CI was diagnosed based on three clinical signs: exophoria, near the convergence point and reduced positive fusion distortion. Results: Of the 428 subjects surveyed, 231 showed no convergence, 101 (23.76%) a sign, 52 (12.15%) two signs and 22 (5.30%) three signs. Twenty-six children (6.05%) showed at least four greater exophoria near than far, as well as an NPC breakpoint correlation (p 0.05, r = 0.374). Children with 4 greater exophoria near than far and reduced PFV breakpoint 6 0.96 Moderate positive correlation (a = 0.347). Conclusions: Most children diagnosed with CI in this study had a visual ability of 0.1 Log MAR, indicating that CI is an anomaly affecting both eyes. This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of convergence insufficiency in the Pedriactic Group. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive visual assessments beyond the standard visual acuity assessments to detect CI and other visual deficiencies that may affect learning and quality of life.

Keywords: Binocular vision; Convergence insufficiency; Non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies; School screening.