Pediatric Research at NSU

Signature Grand, Davie, Florida, USA

Objective. Many pediatric studies are ongoing at the College of Optometry. Background. Previously, treatment of convergence insufficiency and amblyopia was based on mainly clinical experience. Convergence insufficiency is a problem with the coordinated movement and focus of the two eyes inward on near objects. The prevalence of diagnosed convergence insufficiency is 5.3% in patients aged 6-18 years. Amblyopia is defined by the American Optometric Association as the loss or lack of development of central vision in one eye that is unrelated to any eye health problem and is not correctable with lenses. Amblyopia is estimated to have a prevalence of 3%. Methods. The Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) is a multi-center, placebo-controlled, single-masked clinical trial comparing Home-based and Office-based vision therapy in students 9-18 years of age with convergence insufficiency. Eligible patients were randomized into one of four treatment groups for 12 weeks and followed for one year. Five of the Amblyopic Treatment Studies (ATS) involving patients aged 3-13 years with moderate to severe amblyopia and receiving treatment of either patching, vision therapy, glasses, or atropine drops are also being conducted. Results. Results of the CITT and ATS will be released soon. Preliminary findings will be presented. Conclusion. Clinical research enables practitioners to accurately determine the best treatment for their patients with convergence insufficiency and amblyopia. Grants. The CITT and ATS studies are national funded by the NEI/NIH and the NEI/JAEB center.