Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial - Attention and Reading Trial (CITT-ART): Design and Methods

Area of Science:

• Pediatric ophthalmology
• Developmental optometry
• Clinical research methodology

Background:

• Symptomatic convergence insufficiency (CI) affects reading and attention in school-aged children.
• Limited evidence exists on the efficacy of vision therapy for CI in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and methodology of the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial: Attention and Reading Trial (CITT-ART).
• To evaluate the effect of vision therapy on reading and attention in children with symptomatic CI through a randomized clinical trial.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial involving 324 children (ages 9-14) with symptomatic CI.
• 16 weeks of office-based vergence/accommodative therapy (OBVAT) or placebo therapy (OBPT), both with home therapy.
• Primary outcome: change in WIAT-III reading comprehension; Secondary outcomes: changes in attention (SWAN), binocular vision, and other reading/attention measures.

Main Results:

• The study is ongoing, with recruitment in its second year.
• Analysis will test the null hypothesis of no difference between treatment groups.
• Long-term effects will be assessed one year post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• The findings will provide an evidence base for managing children with CI and associated reading/attention issues.
• Results may guide future research on visual disorders and developmental disorders in children.