“All the exercises that I couldn’t help but think were harder than they seemed completely reversed my convergence insufficiency”
Before I first realized there was something wrong with my vision, my grades were low, I was always tired and I had terrible headaches almost every day. I was taking medicine for my headaches so often that I carried it with me everywhere I went. I thought I had headaches because of my stress. One day as I was reading a textbook at school, I notice the words began to blur and dance around the page. I knew it was odd, but decided I would just keep tabs on it for a few more days. I never noticed this much before because I had a hatred for reading ever since I was in 3rd or 4th grade. As soon as I learned how to read, I read books all the time, and was always excited to read a new big book.
As my vision problems were becoming clearer to me, I talked to my parents about it. My dad took me to get my vision checked at the Costco vision clinic. The doctors did a few simple eye exams, but for me, they were very challenging. I struggled to clear the images. Afterwards, they told me and my stepmom that I had something called convergence insufficiency. I was clueless as to what it was, or meant. I had never even heard of convergence insufficiency before. The doctor explained that I was unable to converge (like crossing your eyes) at a normal level, and that made doing my school work difficult to do when thing were so close up. He described techniques that people like me did to make things easier. These were the very same things I did to help me concentrate on my school work. Common symptoms that take place were reoccurring headaches, just like I had. I was happy to finally find what was wrong with my vision; the next step was trying to find out how to fix it.
I was referred to Family Vision Care to see Dr. Copeland, who performed a series of similar eye exams. These were also difficult for me to do. He decided to have my eyes dilated the next day, which was quite an experience. He then further explained to me, my eye condition, and treatments plans. He told me about Washington Vision Therapy Center. I had no clue that you could do therapy exercises for your eyes.
When I met up with Washington Vision Therapy Center I was to do a set of tests that were graded, one of which if you scored over a 16, meant you had convergence insufficiency. I score a 46, this helped Dr. Winters conclude that I definitely had convergence insufficiency. Later that month I had scheduled visits for the beginning of my therapy. My vision therapist, James, gave me my homework binder, and showed me some of the tools we would be using. I was expected to be in therapy for about 8 months depending on how well I progressed. I completed in 4. This amazed not only me, but my family, and many members of Washington Vision Therapy center staff. After completing my therapy sessions, I now love reading, to such an extreme, that I am now buying books ranging from 4 to 6 inches thick online and complete them in as little as 2 days. I have no use for carrying Advil with me, because the headaches have vanished. Best of all, my grades have never ever been better.
All the exercises that I couldn’t help but think were harder than they seemed completely reversed my convergence insufficiency. I couldn’t have done it without the love and support from my family, Dr. Copeland, Dr. Winters, my vision therapist James, and the rest of the staff at Washington Vision Therapy center. I thank you all so much for helping me with my speedy recovery.
