Untreated Oculomotor Dysfunction

Background. Oculomotor dysfunction (OMD) is one of many visual anomalies that can be successfully treated with optometric vision therapy (OVT). A widely used diagnostic indicator of OMD is a low score on the Developmental Eye Movement test (DEM) Ratio. Methods. Thirty-six subjects with OMD per a DEM Ratio standard score of 92 or lower were retested with DEM one or more years later. None of the 36 participated in OVT. Results. Upon retest, 26 subjects (72%) failed DEM ratio again. Ten improved to pass (standard score 93 or higher.) Thirteen (36%) improved by two standard errors of measurement or more and two individuals decreased by two standard errors of measurement or more. Conclusion. Although spontaneous improvement and normalization is possible, untreated oculomotor dysfunction is more likely to persist over time than it is to self-correct. Active optometric vision therapy should be considered as a viable treatment option in these patients.