The distribution of near point of convergence, near horizontal heterophoria, and near vergence among myopic children in South Korea

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE To assess the distribution of near point of convergence (NPC), near heterophoria, and near vergence among myopic school children in South Korea. METHODS One hundred and thirty-six elementary school children, aged 8-13 years, were each given a thorough eye examination including binocular vision testing, NPC using standard push-up technique, horizontal heterophoria measurement by Von Graefe, distance, and near negative and positive vergence with a phoropter and phoropter replacement card. RESULTS NPC break and recovery points were highest in the age 9 years group, but the mean values of NPC were within the normal range. Of 136 individuals, 52 presented with esophoria, 53 presented with 0 -6-Δ exophoria, and 31 presented with ≥7-Δ exophoria. In the younger age groups (8 years and 10 years) 0-6-Δ exophoria was prevalent, whereas in the older age groups (11 years, 12 years, and 13 years) esophoria was prevalent. Near positive fusional vergence (break and recovery point) presented with statistically significant correlations with the participants' ages. Esophoria showed higher correlations with high myopia (8.00 ± 0.000) rather than with low myopia (3.36 ± 2.499) or medium myopia (3.42 ± 2.149). The mean value of 0-6Δ exophoria was highest in medium myopia (4.04 ± 1.517), and of ≥7-Δ exophoria was the highest in high myopia (12.66 ± 1.154). CONCLUSION There were no statistically significant correlations between the school childrens' ages and NPC, near horizontal heterophoria, and near fusional vergence, except near positive fusional vergence. Also, unlike many studies, myopic magnitude did not present a significant correlation with near phoria and fusional vergence.