Comparison of Measured Fusional Vergence Amplitudes using Prism Bar and Synoptophore in Sudanese Patients with Near Exophoria

Background: Assessment of the fusional vergence amplitudes constitutes one of the most important diagnostic tools to obtain information about the ability to maintain binocular vision. Several techniques can be used to assess this function. However, those methods are not interchangeable, and the measurement repeatability has been questioned. Objective: This study aimed to compare fusional vergence range measurements using prism bars and synoptophore in Sudanese patients with near exophoria Methods: The study was a comparative cross-sectional hospital-based, performed in the binocular vision clinic at the Al-Neelain Eye Hospital. Fusional vergence amplitudes (positive and negative) were measured on 122 patients (67 females and 55 males), and the mean age and standard deviation were 16.79 +/- 5.22 years old using prism bar and synoptophore methods. Results: The findings showed that the higher positive fusional vergence was obtained using the synoptophore method (24.7 +/- 7.2. base-out), whereas the prism bar method provided the lower finding (22.6 +/- 7.6 Delta base-out). Conversely, the prism bar method revealed a higher measurement for negative fusional vergence (13.9 +/- 3.9 Delta base-in) than the synoptophore method (12.7 +/- 3.7 Delta base-in). Using the t-test, significant differences were found between all measurements with the two techniques, P<0.05. Measurements of positive and negative fusional vergence amplitudes by the two methods showed no relationship between age and fusional vergence, P>0.05. Conclusion: Given the significant difference in the results obtained between the two methods for measuring the positive and negative fusional vergence amplitudes, caution should be taken when making decisions regarding fusional vergence assessment in patients with latent and manifest strabismus.