ICA decomposition of vergence dynamics in convergence insufficiency patients

Convergence insufficiency (CI) is a prominent vergence dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the underlying components of vergence responses in CI patients. Two, four and six degree convergent steps at two different initial positions and four degree divergent step stimuli were presented to three CI subjects. The goal was to use an independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm to dissect the vergence responses into two components (the transient and sustained) for comparison. Preliminary data show that the transient component of the vergence system is modified after six weeks of optometric vision training. Data suggest that neuroplasticity is evoked via optometric vision training implying training modifies a portion of the brain responsible for generating the transient component signals.