What does convergence testing assess in patients?

Convergence testing assesses the ability to move the eyes inward toward a common point, typically as an object approaches the face. This test is crucial for evaluating the coordination and strength of the extraocular muscles, which control eye movements. Convergence is an essential part of binocular vision, playing a key role in depth perception.

When a patient successfully performs convergence, it indicates that the ocular muscles are functioning correctly, allowing both eyes to coordinate adequately for tasks that require focusing on near objects. This ability is particularly relevant in stroke rehabilitation, as deficits in convergence can signify issues with neurological functioning or may contribute to visual disturbances, impacting overall recovery and rehabilitation strategies.

Other options may relate to different aspects of visual function but do not pertain specifically to the inward movement of the eyes, which is the primary focus of convergence testing. For instance, depth perception (the first option) relates to how the brain interprets information from both eyes and is influenced by convergence, but it is not the main component tested. The assessment of tracking fast-moving objects (the third option) and distinguishing colors (the fourth option) pertain to different visual processing skills that do not involve the inward movement of the eyes.