Is it possible to relate accommodative visual dysfunctions to neck pain?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish whether there is a relationship between conditions of accommodative visual dysfunctions and cervical complaints. Fifty-two participants were included. Variables were accommodative amplitude, positive and negative relative accommodation (NRA), accommodative response, and accommodative facility. Subjects were classified as accommodative insufficiency, accommodative excess, or normal. Neck complaints were measured with the Neck Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale, and by cervical range of motion, deep flexor muscle activation score, and performance index. We found the following significant relationships: between NRA and both performance index and left-side bending; accommodative amplitude right-eye with right-side bending and with left-side bending; accommodative amplitude left-eye with right-side bending; and accommodative facility left-eye with both performance index and left-side bending. In accommodative amplitude right-eye, aIl participants showed significant values and greater than those with accommodative excess. In both groups, performance index values were decreased. Greater pain and lower right-rotation were found in participants with accommodative excess than in those with accommodative insufficiency. We conclude that accommodative dysfunctions are related to low performance index, decreased range of motion, as well as greater neck pain.

Visual system disorders and musculoskeletal neck complaints: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…One study was a case series study . Three studies were observational cohort and cross‐sectional studies . Two studies were controlled interventional studies .…”

“…Some other authors determined an accommodative function state through a test that demonstrated high repeatability and established a relationship between accommodative dysfunctions and neck complaints.…”

“…Symptoms may include blurred vision, reading problems, headache, diplopia, and in many cases, difficulty in maintaining comfortable vision for a long time . Also, these visual disorders are associated with musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck and shoulder . Although the two conditions are usually studied independently, there are indications that they can be physiologically related .…”

“…Others analyzed neck musculature at the same time as the visual system was altered . Some investigators specifically determined visual system variables and tried to establish a relationship between the presence of visual dysfunction and the nature of cervical ailments …”

<p>Accommodative Insufficiency: Prevalence, Impact and Treatment Options</p>

“…A decreased range of cervical motion and neck pain have been reported as co-occurring symptoms in accommodative dysfunctions. 37 , 38 The common sympathetic innervation link that is shared with the accommodation system is proposed as one possible reason for this. Nonetheless, neck pain can also be secondary in AI owing to abnormal neck and head retractions during reading resulting from the visual fatigue and blur.…”