Convergence Insufficiency (CI)By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated June 13, 2025 Convergence Insufficiency (CI) is a binocular vision disorder that affects a person's ability to perform tasks that require near vision. It is becoming more widely recognized by the public. Students with CI may have a normal eye exam and still experience significant difficulty with close-up tasks such as reading, writing, using a computer, playing video games, or doing crafts.
According to the Optometrists Network, Convergence Insufficiency is “the leading cause of eyestrain, blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), and/or headaches." What Is Convergence Insufficiency?CI occurs when the eyes do not work together properly at near distances. It is a problem with eye teaming—specifically, a tendency for the eyes to drift outward (a condition called exophoria at near) when looking at close objects. To maintain single, clear vision, the person must work harder to pull their eyes inward (to converge). This extra effort often leads to uncomfortable symptoms. Even if a student passes a 20/20 vision screening, they can still have CI, which impacts reading, learning, and working comfortably at close distances.
Common Symptoms of CISymptoms may appear during or after close-up tasks and may include:
Potential Effects of Untreated CIWithout treatment, CI can cause a person to suppress vision in one eye, meaning the brain ignores input from that eye. This can lead to:
Diagnosis and TreatmentAn optometrist can diagnose CI through a binocular vision evaluation. There are two main types of treatment:
Educational ImplicationsA diagnosis of Convergence Insufficiency does not automatically qualify a student for school-based vision services. Eligibility depends on how the condition affects educational access and performance.
If a student is found eligible, it’s important to note that vision therapy is a medical treatment. It is not provided by Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs). Vision therapy must be administered by, or under the supervision of, an optometrist or other trained professional. Classroom AccommodationsThe optometrists may recommend simple classroom accommodations that can help reduce symptoms and support learning. These may include:
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