Original Research

Exploring the association between asthenopia, vergence measures and the interpupillary distance

Charles Darko-Takyi, Selasie A. Ahlijah, Emmanuel K. Abu, Michael Ntodie, Carl H. Abraham, Franklin L. Otoo, Stephen Ocansey
African Vision and Eye Health | Vol 84, No 1 | a1054 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/aveh.v84i1.1054 | © 2025 Charles Darko-Takyi, Selasie A. Ahlijah, Emmanuel K. Abu, Michael Ntodie, Carl H. Abraham, Franklin L. Otoo, Stephen Ocansey | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 13 March 2025 | Published: 30 September 2025

About the author(s)

Charles Darko-Takyi, Department of Ophthalmic Science, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Selasie A. Ahlijah, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Emmanuel K. Abu, Department of Vision Science, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Michael Ntodie, Department of Clinical Optometry, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Carl H. Abraham, Department of Ophthalmic Science, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Franklin L. Otoo, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast,, Ghana
Stephen Ocansey, Department of Vision Science, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Exploring the possible association between Interpupillary distance (IPD), and vergence parameters (VPs) and asthenopia may give an impression of a vergence disorder (VD).
Aim: To investigate the association between asthenopia, VPs, VDs, and IPD among junior high school (JHS) students.
Setting: The study took place in JHSs in Cape Coast, Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design and a multi-stage sampling technique was employed. Five hundred and forty-six (546) students enrolled completed oculo-visual screening, Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) administration, IPD measurements, and VPs assessments [near point of convergence (NPC), lateral heterophoria, positive fusional vergence (PFV), negative fusional vergence (NFV) amplitudes, Gradient AC/A ratio and relative accommodation] over maximum plus for best corrected visual acuity refractive correction.
Results: The IPD status (small [OR] = 0.542, CI = 0.200 – 1.470, p = 0.229), medium (OR = 1.182, CI = 0.818 – 1.708, p = 0.373), large (OR = 0.920, CI = 0.630 – 1.344, p = 0.668) was not a risk for asthenopia. Small (p = 0.598), medium (χ2 = 0.046, p = 0.831), and large (χ2 = 2.875, p = 0.090) IPD was not associated with VDs. There were significant correlations between IPD, and NPC break (rs = 0.101, p = ˂ 0.018); distance PFV blur (rs = 0.106, p = 0.014) and break (rs = 0.129, p = 0.003); near NFV blur (rs = 0.096, p = 0.025) and break (rs = 0.103, p = 0.016); near PFV blur (rs = 0.111, p = 0.010) and break (rs = 0.125, p = 0.003).
Conclusion: VD and asthenopia cannot be predicted with IPD.
Contribution: The IPD is not diagnostic sign for vergence disorder.


Keywords

interpupillary distance; facial asymmetry; asthenopia; vergence disorders; vergence parameters

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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