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Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Treating Symptomatic Convergence Insufficiency
A Randomized Controlled Study Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation to Facilitate the Effectiveness of Vergence/Accommodative Therapy in Symptomatic Convergence Insufficiency
Who can join
Ages 18 to 40 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Best-corrected visual acuity of \> 20/25 in each eye at distance and near * Exophoria at near at least 4∆ greater than at far * Receded near point of convergence of \> 6 cm break * Insufficient positive fusional vergence at near (\< 15∆ base-out blur or break) * CISS score of 16 and greater for children or 21 and greater for adults * Have had a dilated fundus examination within the last 12 months * Informed consent and willingness to participate in the study and be randomized Exclusion Criteria: * Previously treated for convergence insufficiency with home- or office-based vergence/accommodative therapy * Amblyopia (\> 2-line difference in best-corrected visual acuity between the two eyes) * Constant strabismus * History of strabismus surgery * Convergence insufficiency secondary to acquired brain injury or neurological disorder * Manifest or latent nystagmus * Systemic disease known to affect accommodation, vergence, and ocular motility including multiple sclerosis, Graves disease, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and diabetes * Developmental disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability or cognitive dysfunction that would interfere with treatment * Taking medications that can affect normal neurological function including antipsychotics, antiepileptics, and opioids * Presence of metal or electronic implants in or on the body, including pacemakers
About the study
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation in treating adults with symptomatic convergence insufficiency compared to vergence/accommodative therapy. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Can non-invasive brain stimulation shorten the treatment time of office-based vergence/accommodative therapy for convergence insufficiency? 2. Is non-invasive brain stimulation alone just as effective as office-based vergence/accommodative therapy in treating convergence insufficiency?
The investigators hypothesize that non-invasive brain stimulation will shorten the treatment time from 12 weeks to 8 weeks of office-based vergence/accommodative therapy and that non-invasive brain stimulation alone would be equally effective as office-based vergence/accommodative therapy in improving symptomatic convergence insufficiency.
Participants will be randomized into one of three treatment groups:
1. Non-invasive brain stimulation with office-based vergence/accommodative therapy. 2. Sham stimulation with office-based vergence/accommodative therapy. 3. Non-invasive brain stimulation only.
Researchers will compare baseline measurements of near point of convergence (NPC) and positive fusional vergence (PFV) to post-treatment measurements for each group.
What is being tested
- Anodal-Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (device)
- Office-Based Vergence/Accommodative Therapy (behavioral)
- Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (device)
Sponsor: Midwestern University · Participants: 150 · Started: Mar 1, 2025
Contact the study team
- Arijit Chakraborty, PhD · Phone: 630-960-3172
- Adrienne C Quan, OD · Phone: 630-960-3183
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05877560
Locations in the U.S.
| Illinois | Midwestern University Eye Institute, Downers Grove |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.