Convergence Insufficiency? ADHD or Vi... - CHADD's Adult ADH...

CHADD's Adult ADHD Support

25,020 members6,140 posts

Convergence Insufficiency? ADHD or Vision Problem?

5 Replies

The wonderful thing about going to doctors is that they can always find something wrong with you, and if you go to a specialist, you can find even more problems that require expensive therapy.

After a two-hour eye exam today, the optometrist told me that I have a convergence insufficiency and need vision therapy. She wants me to come back for another appointment before giving me details on the costs, but I wanted to see if anyone here has any experience with convergence insufficiency - I had never even heard the term until recently.

I probably have convergence insufficiency in addition to ADHD, but I am not sure how many thousands of dollars it is worth burning to try and fix my vision problems.

additudemag.com/adhd-and-vi...

Is It ADHD or a Vision Problem? If your child is fidgety, hyperactive, or distressed by his schoolwork, an ADHD diagnosis might seem like a no-brainer. But these behaviors may actually be due to vision problems instead. Learn how to tell the difference — and how to get an accurate diagnosis.

5 Replies
BlessedLady profile image
BlessedLady

You need to get a second opinion.

Gettingittogether profile image
Gettingittogether in reply toBlessedLady

Ditto: a second opinion from a doctor from an entirely different practice. Go high level: read some google reviews or online reviews, find someone highly respected in the field.

in reply toGettingittogether

Thanks. From the additudemag article that I linked to above, "We also note a seeming threefold greater incidence of CI [Covergence Insufficiency] in the ADHD population. This may represent an association and not be a causative relationship." I hadn't even heard of CI and that is part of the reason that I posted about it on this forum. I appreciate your response.

in reply toBlessedLady

Thanks, unfortunately, and I guess it didn't come across in my earlier question/post that was seething with frustration and sarcasm, I really liked the optometrist that I saw and thought she was quite good. Yes, she is trying to sell a service, but although I am not sure about her service, I trusted her expertise and the positive reviews I found of her practice, to pay for her evaluation and opinion. Because of many concussions and other issues, I thought it definitely possible that I could have an eye problem, such as convergence insufficiency (even though I didn't know the term). I may go to another optometrist to get an opinion, but the other one I talked to also charged over $500 for the evaluation. So paying $1000 or $2000 for therapy isn't all that crazy in comparison to spending another $500 for a second opinion, or getting an opinion from the best eye doctor I've found that would cost nearly $3K. My frustration is that it is so much money, especially when I am still unable to work, and I don't feel like I can trust anyone anymore, except some of the wonderful people on this forum, which is admittedly a bit silly.

Gettingittogether profile image
Gettingittogether in reply to

Sorry to hear of the costs. I almost got your sarcasm but wasn't sure! I'm glad to hear that you trust your provider.

Tons of research amazingly finds that trust is one of the biggest factors in how well patients fare. I had long known that was true for therapists, but apparently it's true for doctors across the spectrum, including surgeons!

People do better when they're with someone they trust (assuming that person isn't a full-out charlatan of course).

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Is Neuropsychological testing in an ADHD Evaluation Important?

I'm an (undiagnosed for ADHD) 57 yr old woman. On my own I have taken several online tests for...
Awuamarine profile image

Doctors just aren't listening and know so little about adult ADHD

My own journey with finding a doctor to even discuss ADHD with me was miserable. I've had several...
Ruby444 profile image

Finally diagnosed, but finding actual treatment feels impossible.

I finally got an official diagnosis in December, adhd PI, which I've pretty much known since middle...
Nleor623 profile image

ADHD and Alone

I'm not sure if this is just me or if its a side effect of ADHD. But why is it I can still feel...
Codebox42 profile image

talking to teen with newly diagnosed ADHD

Hello; any advice on how to get teen son to take a recent ADHD diagnosis seriously? He is taking...
Frankman profile image

Moderation team

See all
JamiHIS profile image
JamiHISAdministrator
zlib profile image
zlibPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.