Accommodative Insufficiency

Accommodative Insufficiency refers to a reduced level of focus stamina required for accurate near binocular vision.

This is often associated with a Convergence Excess, reduced levels of accommodation often requiring the individual to aim the eyes closer in than the page they are reading in an effort to increase focus strength.

Insufficient accommodation usually results from either delayed vision development in children, or in situations of visual stress in adolescents and adults.

Treatment for accommodative insufficiency is best addressed by use of Therapuetic Spectacle lenses. These are generally prescribed in a multifocal form to allow improved near vision accuracy whilst not disturbing distance vision, this being especially important in school children so they may shift focus with ease and clarity between board and page in class.

Accommodative Insufficiency can reduce visual attention levels and visual memory abilities as the child is required to direct more attention to keeping clear vision, thereby reducing available concentration required for processing the visual information.

Often stamina and ability to concentrate in class or at work is affected, and the individual finds it difficult to keep focus on the page, often looking away or daydreaming. It is common to find these individuals having to re-read sentences over again for comprehension.

The Behavioural Optometrist is able to accurately assess levels of accommodation and prescribe appropriate treatment should this be required.