Sometimes the suspect behind trouble with reading, attention, or focus
isn't what everyone assumes. Run the three-part investigation and find out if a hidden,
treatable eye-teaming problem deserves a closer look.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. A "refer" result means
"this case is worth an eye exam," never "you have convergence insufficiency."
Symptoms overlap with ADHD, anxiety, and learning differences — that overlap is exactly the point.
Do not change anyone's treatment based on this screen.
1
The InterrogationSymptom survey
2
The StakeoutObserved behavior
3
The Field TestEye-teaming check
Exhibit 1 — Interrogating the witness
The Interrogation
15 questions about how the eyes feel during reading and close-up work. (CISS)
ADHD
Anxiety
Depression / MDD
Learning disability
Ask the subject: "When you do schoolwork, reading, or other close work, how often…"
Tap a frequency for each.
0 of 15 answered
Exhibit 2 — Surveillance log
The Stakeout
What a parent, teacher, or counselor actually sees during reading and near work. Check every clue you've witnessed.
Exhibit 3 — Field test
The Field Test (NPC)
The one hands-on test. You'll move a small target toward the nose and watch the eyes. Takes ~1 minute.
What you need: a small detailed target — the tip of a pen, a single small letter on a card,
or a sticker on a pencil eraser. And someone to watch the subject's eyes.
Hold the target about an arm's length away, at eye level.
Slowly move it straight toward the bridge of the nose (~1 inch per second).
Tell the subject: "Keep it single and clear — say 'two' the instant it becomes double."
Meanwhile, watch their eyes. Note the moment one eye drifts outward — that's the real signal.
The animation below just shows the motion & gives a rough distance guide. Your real measurement is what you observe on the subject.
arm's length ───────────────────▶ nose
A
👃
40 cm
Press start, then watch the subject's eyes as the target approaches the nose.
What did you observe?
Case file — closed
The Case File
Investigation summary for the eye doctor.
Recommended next step
Take this summary to a
developmental optometrist, neuro-optometrist, or pediatric ophthalmologist
for a full binocular-vision exam. Find one near you:
Read this before you do anything. This screen cannot diagnose convergence insufficiency,
and it cannot rule it out. It also can't tell CI apart from ADHD or anxiety — they share symptoms.
A "refer" result is only a reason to get a professional eye exam. Do not start, stop, or change any
mental-health or learning treatment based on this result.