Accommodative dysfunction.

A retrospective review of the records of 114 subjects with accommodative dysfunction has been completed. Most subjects (N = 96) were found to have accommodative insufficiency. Lesser numbers of subjects were categorized in the class of infacility of accommodation (N = 14), spasm of accommodation (N = 3) and fatigue of accommodation (N = 1). A majority of the subjects presented with complaints of blur, headaches and/or asthenopia while attempting nearwork. Most subjects presented with reduced abilities in one or more of the following areas: accommodative amplitude and facility, fusional vergences, near point of convergence and stereo acuities. The clinical characteristics of the group as a whole and the major subgroups have been examined both before and after treatment of the condition with orthoptic exercises and/or plus lenses at the nearpoint. The result of the treatment indicates that although most subjects (96%) experienced some relief with treatment only about half (53%) had their problems totally solved. The importance of these findings is briefly discussed.