What Causes Convergence Insufficiency?

Convergence Insufficiency is a vision problem in which sufferers are unable to keep both eyes aligned on an object as they approach it from a distance. It tends to be disconcerting when you are having issues with small angles, making walking difficult as it can cause vertigo and balance problems.

Innervation

• Most believe convergence insufficiency is caused by innervation. This means that the degree of stimulation to the eye is inadequate, resulting in the eye not receiving the correct electrical impulses to tell it to continue to focus on an object. The muscle relaxes, as opposed to keeping the eye focused. Support for the innvervation theory lies in the condition's positive response to therapy. Like many other neural pathways, with concentrated work you can rebuild the nerves and strengthen the muscle, thereby "rewiring" the brain and fixing the problem. Performing focusing exercises on a daily basis have eliminated the problem for many patients.

Head Injuries

• Another possible cause of convergence insufficiency are head injuries. Head injuries can wreak havoc on the brain and the neural pathways, sometimes destroying them forever. Therapies are available that are effective, but their success depends on the severity of the head injury and the part of the brain that was affected.

Lesions

• Lesions on the brain can also cause convergency insufficency. Lesions can have multiple causes such as AIDS, cancer, or other illnesses. Lesions can add pressure to areas of the brain, interrupting the normal transmission of signals throughout it. In these cases therapies are rarely helpful. If the lesions are removed, it is possible that therapy can fix the convergence insufficiency but if the lesions are left untreated it is unlikely the brain will be able to properly rewire itself.