Relief of asthenopic symptoms with orthoptic exercises in convergence insufficiency is achieved in both adults and children

Background Asthenopic symptoms associated with convergence insufficiency (CI) may compromise a person's ability to work or study. We investigated the effectiveness of orthoptic exercises in relieving symptoms related to CI and long-time results in adults and children. Methods The data were retrospectively gathered from the patient clinical files. A total of 135 patients met the inclusion criteria of suffering asthenopic symptoms and CI but had not received prior strabismus surgery or orthoptic exercises. Results The mean age was 26 ± 17 years, 74% of them were female. The patients ( N = 135) suffered from CI and had at least one of the following symptoms: eyestrain, blurring of vision, problems in reading and while doing work-up at close distance or headache. In the two-year follow-up time, 4% of the patients needed to be retreated and 3% of the patients required strabismus surgery. There were no significant differences between adults and children in near point of convergence (NPC), number of visits needed or fusional vergence at the end of treatment nor did the outcome depend on the number of visits. 59.5% of children vs. 51.9% of adults were free of symptoms when completing the exercises. Conclusions In conclusion orthoptic exercises are effective in relieving asthenopic symptoms in adults and children. The effects of orthoptic exercises on NPC and fusional vergence were equal in adults and in children and not dependent on the number of visits needed for successful outcome. With orthoptic exercises it is possible to achieve longstanding relief on the symptoms of CI.