Dizziness and Convergence Insufficiency in Children: Screening and Management

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Neurology
• Neuro-optometry

Background:

• Dizziness in children can stem from ophthalmological issues, specifically vergence disorders.
• Excessive screen time is common in children experiencing vertigo and dizziness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of orthoptic vergence training (OVT) for children with dizziness and vergence disorders.
• To assess the impact of reduced screen usage instructions on dizziness symptoms and oculomotor function.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 49 children with vergence insufficiency and dizziness, compared to 109 healthy controls.
• Orthoptic evaluation and video recordings of eye movements were performed before treatment, and at 3 and 9 months post-treatment.
• Statistical analyses, including ANCOVA and mixed models, controlled for age and gender.

Main Results:

• Children with dizziness showed significant differences in orthoptic and oculomotor parameters compared to controls at baseline.
• Following OVT and reduced screen time, all vertigo symptoms resolved by 3 months.
• Significant improvements in eye movement parameters were observed at 3 months and remained stable or improved by 9 months.

Conclusions:

• Vergence disorders are a potential cause of dizziness in children and can be identified through orthoptic and oculomotor assessments.
• Orthoptic treatment combined with reduced screen time offers a significant and lasting solution for pediatric dizziness and associated oculomotor deficits.
• Screening for vergence disorders is recommended for children presenting with dizziness.