Jump convergence - Orthoptic exercises for convergence insufficiency

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This leaflet is for patients with a condition called convergence insufficiency (CI), this can be treated by eye exercises. The exercise in this leaflet can be practised at home, and when performed regularly, most patients start to see improvement in symptoms quite rapidly. Your orthoptist will advise you on the types of exercises to do, the way to do them, and how frequently exercises should be practised.

Jump convergence

The aim of this exercise is to improve your ability to change your fixation (where you are looking) quickly and easily.

Wear glasses for exercises? Yes / No

Length of time doing exercises:

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Number of exercise periods per day:

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How to do jump convergence exercises:

1. If your orthoptist has asked you to wear glasses for your exercises, put these on.
2. Hold a target (eg a pen) at arm’s length in front of you.
3. Find a distant target in front of you to look at (eg an object or a picture). The target should be at least 2m away.
4. Look at the distant target.
5. Then look straight to the near target. As soon as the near target is single and clear, look back to the distant target.
6. Whilst looking at the distant target, move the near target towards you a little.
7. Repeat stages 4 and 5 until you are unable to get the near target single and clear.
8. At this point, move the near target away from you until you are just able to get it single and clear, and then continue repeating instructions 4 and 5.
9. You should aim to be able to hold the near target approximately 6cm from your nose and maintain it looking single and clear.

After doing your exercises, it is important that you relax your eyes by looking into the distance (for instance out of the window) or closing your eyes for a couple of minutes.

When you start doing this exercise, you may find it very difficult, and you may feel increased eyestrain, and headaches. Try not to let this put you off your exercises – they get much easier with practice.

Your orthoptist will advise you on frequency, and for how long, to do your exercises.

Notes from your orthoptist:

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Contacts and further information

If you have any difficulties with your exercises, please contact the orthoptic department on 01223 216528.

Ophthalmology department
Box: 41
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Hills Road,
Cambridge,
CB2 0QQ