What is the average convergence distance in children?

In children, the average convergence distance typically falls around 2 mm. Convergence refers to the inward movement of the eyes toward each other as they focus on a near object. This distance may be shorter in children because their visual systems are still developing, leading to a closer point of convergence.

Understanding this metric is crucial for practitioners in managing children’s vision care, particularly when assessing binocular vision or diagnosing convergence issues. Accurate knowledge of the average convergence distance helps in making appropriate recommendations for corrective lenses or vision therapy, if necessary.

The other options reflect distances that do not accurately represent the typical physiological response of children's visual systems in terms of convergence, thus reinforcing the significance of recognizing the average value.