The effectiveness of pencil pushups treatment for convergence insufficiency: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness of pencil pushups treatment (PPT) for the treatment of convergence insufficiency in a clinical situation. METHODS: PPT was prescribed for use at home for 6 weeks for 25 subjects with convergence insufficiency. RESULTS: Twelve of the subjects returned for follow-up. Seven of 12 (58%) subjects showed a clinically significant improvement in nearpoint of convergence and positive fusional vergence, and 11 of 12 reported improvement in symptoms. Only one subject became asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: PPT resulted in some improvement in both objective findings and symptoms for some subjects. Compliance with the recommended home therapy protocol was poor.