Accommodative dysfunction

Accommodative dysfunction is an eye-focusing problem resulting in blurred vision—up close and/or far away— frequently found in children or adults who have extended near-work demand.
Accommodative Dysfunction

One of the visual skills necessary for visual information processing for near- centered tasks–such as reading of screens/ computers/phones and paper (books). The ability to look from near to far quickly without any blur at distance or near.

Causes & risk factors

  • Often due to the inability to use the two eyes properly–binocular vision function (with little effort for each eye and both working together).
  • Visual demand increasing.
  • Blurring unable to focus may occur and be related to prolonged visually demanding near centered tasks, without proper ergonomics (etc. lighting posture and taking breaks 20/20/20 rule).

Symptoms

  • The inability to look from near to far quickly without any blur at distance or near.
  • Transient blurred vision.
  • Abnormal postural adaptations (too close or too far away / working distance).
  • Visual stress/headaches/decreased comprehension of material.
  • Inconsistent work productivity/diminished accuracy.
  • Avoidance of visually demanding tasks.
  • Blur at distance after performing near work.
  • Distractibility while performing tasks- inconsistent/inaccurate visual attention concentration or awareness.
  • Fatigue/ movement illusory.

Diagnosis

  • Comprehensive Eye health and vision examination.
  • Patient History – complaints/symptoms.
  • Binocular evaluation of sustenance visual abilities.

Treatment

  • Improve sustenance visual abilities/processing to look from near to far- Optometric Vision therapy/ Vision Enhancement procedures with lenses and prisms- treatments in and out of the office.
  • Glasses or Contact lenses to correct an undetected refractive error- (two Rx’s may be necessary for one pair of glasses or CLs- antifatigue RX).

Prevention

Comprehensive eye health and vision examination.

Find a Doctor of Optometry
Related Articles

Acanthamoeba

Acanthamoeba is one of the most common organisms in the environment. Although it rarely causes infection, when it does occur, it can threaten your vision.

Amblyopia (lazy eye)

Amblyopia—also known as lazy eye—is the loss or lack of development of clear vision in one or both eyes.

Anterior uveitis

Anterior uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye. This middle layer includes the iris (colored part of the eye) and adjacent tissue, known as the ciliary body.