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Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:1318-1323 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.068197
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Randomised clinical trial of the effectiveness of base-in prism reading glasses versus placebo reading glasses for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children

  1. M Scheiman1,
  2. S Cotter2,
  3. M Rouse2,
  4. G L Mitchell3,
  5. M Kulp3,
  6. J Cooper4,
  7. E Borsting2,
  8. and the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) Study Group*
  1. 1Eye Institute, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  2. 2Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, CA, USA
  3. 3Optometry Coordinating Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
  4. 4College of Optometry, State University of New York, New York, NY, USA
  1. Correspondence to: Professor M Scheiman Eye Institute, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 1200 West Godfrey Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA; mscheimanpco.edu
  • Accepted 1 March 2005

Abstract

Purpose: To compare base-in prism reading glasses with placebo reading glasses for the treatment of symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) in children aged 9 to <18 years.

Methods: In a randomised clinical trial, 72 children aged 9 to <18 years with symptomatic CI were assigned to either base-in prism glasses or placebo reading glasses. Symptom level, measured with a quantitative symptom questionnaire (CI Symptom Survey-V15), was the primary outcome measure. Near point of convergence and positive fusional vergence at near were secondary outcomes.

Results: The mean (SD) CI Symptom Survey score decreased (that is, less symptomatic) in both groups (base-in prism glasses from 31.6 (10.4) to 16.5 (9.2); placebo glasses from 28.4 (8.8) to 17.5 (12.3)). The change in the CI Symptom Survey scores (p = 0.33), near point of convergence (p = 0.91), and positive fusional vergence (p = 0.59) were not significantly different between the two groups after 6 weeks of wearing glasses.

Conclusions: Base-in prism reading glasses were found to be no more effective in alleviating symptoms, improving the near point of convergence, or improving positive fusional vergence at near than placebo reading glasses for the treatment of children aged 9 to <18 years with symptomatic CI.

Footnotes

  • ↵* A list of the investigators who participated in the study appears in Appendix 1.

  • This study was supported by grants from the Pennsylvania and Ohio Lions.

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