Accommodative problems in a young population attending Optometric Practice: prevalence, detection and treatment

Mrs Eileen Cowie

In routine primary care optometric practice, young people with reduced accommodation may present complaining of problems with close work or asthenopic symptoms. The reported prevalence of vergence accommodation disorders ranges from 17% to 70%.  One reason for this wide variation is variations in the tests used to identify those with abnormal accommodation.

This study aimed to assess how the prevalence of accommodative anomalies in a random sample of patients is dependent on the tests of accommodation applied.  In addition it is hoped that the study will establish which tests or combination of tests from those available in clinical practice to assess accommodative function, is/are the best predictor/s of those patients who will have symptoms related to close work. Finally a trial was conducted investigating the value of simple training programmes suitable for use in primary care practice.

Mrs Cowie has been awarded an MSc following successful completion of this research project.