Definition:

     Ocular motility is the ability to control eye movements. Ocular motor dysfunction is a sensorimotor anomaly of eye movement control characterized by an inability to perform accurate and effective eye movement patterns.

Signs and Symptoms:

     The signs and symptoms associated with ocular motor dysfunction may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Difficulty visually tracking and/or following objects
• Reduced efficiency and/or productivity
• Loss of place, repetition, and/or omission of words and/or lines of print while reading
• Spatial disorientation
• Need to utilize a marker in order to avoid loss of place
• Transpositions when copying from one source document to another
• Distractibility while performing visually demanding tasks 
• Diminished accuracy
• Inconsistent visual attention, concentration
• Difficulty sustaining near visual function awareness
• General fatigue
• Abnormal postural adaptation/abnormal working distance
• Incoordination/clumsiness
• Inaccurate/inconsistent work product
• Inaccurate eye-hand coordination

Therapeutic Management Considerations:

     The doctor of optometry determines appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and frequency of evaluation and follow-up, based on the urgency and nature of the patient's conditions and unique needs.

Prescribed Treatment Regimen:

     The goal of the prescribed treatment regimen is to address the underlying condition and alleviate the presenting signs and symptoms. Most ocular motor dysfunctions require optometric vision therapy/orthoptics to develop accurate and effective eye teaming. This condition rarely resolves when left untreated. Treatment duration will depend upon the particular patient's condition and associated circumstances. At the conclusion of the active treatment regimen, periodic follow-up evaluation is required. Therapeutic lenses may be prescribed during or at the conclusion of active vision therapy to assist in the maintenance of long-term stability.