Accommodation deficiency in healthy young individuals

Abstract

Ten patients, ages 10 to 19, with accommodation insufficiency are reported. All patients were in good health and asymptomatic, except for asthenopia during near visual activities. Each patient's amplitude of accommodation was measured and found to be considerably below the minimal normal for their respective ages (an average of 6 diopters). Only three patients had associated convergence insufficiency. No etiology for the diminished accommodation was suggested by history or could be identified by careful examination. All patients were successfully managed optically with bifocals or reading glasses, although three required the addition of base-in prisms for the near exodeviation. Near vision testing and determination of the near point of accommodation should be part of the pediatric ophthalmologic examination in all patients with complaints referable to their reading and visual performance at near.