Is ADHD Associated with Vision Problems?

For anyone with ADHD or the parent of a child with ADHD, there is an ongoing search for reasons it occurs as well as ways to allow better control, stability and overall functioning. We know that sometimes vision problems do contribute to inattentiveness and certain behavioral issues for children in school. But, is there an association between vision problems and children with an actual diagnosis of ADHD/ADD?

 Research on ADHD & Vision Problems
Researchers reporting in the journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus (AAPOS) investigated the possibility that there was an association between ADHD/ADD, uncorrected refractive-errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism-and visual acuity. They performed a case matched controlled study that included ADD/ADHD children actually diagnosed with ADHD/ADD according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR), along with an age-matched control group of children and then performed eye exams to evaluate uncorrected visual acuity for distance and near, cycloplegic refraction-an eye test to measure uncorrected refractive error with eye drops, ocular motility or eye movement, and binocular function. Their results showed that ADD/ADHD children had similar visual acuity at distance and near and refractive errors as normal subjects. Eye movement and the ability to use both eyes together as well as focusing ability were also found to be similar in both groups and thus might not contribute to ADD/ADHD.

 
If you or someone you know has ADHD and is concerned about any effects of vision problems, refractive errors or decreased visual acuity please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

 The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Real Life Impact of Cataracts

Cataracts are a leading cause of vision loss for seniors with more than half of those over the age of 65 having some degree of cataract development.
 
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. For many patients cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision.
 

Symptoms of Cataracts
The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts can include blurring of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, fading or yellowing of colors and frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.
 
Real Life Impact of Cataracts
Poor vision in seniors has a much greater impact than just not seeing clearly. Poor vision in seniors is often associated with premature or accelerated mental decline. Cataracts and the associated decreased vision they cause add challenges to everyday living in terms of mobility and safety and can also put patients at increased risk for orthopedic injury-especially hip fracture. So, helping seniors restore vision with cataract surgery has an important place in securing senior health, well being, mobility, safety and mental state.

 When cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort, mobility and safety, they can be treated surgically. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today, we have a full range of lens implants available that allow us to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even near vision problems after cataract surgery, as well as distance vision, without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients.

 If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, laser cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Think Twice before Buying Children’s Eyewear Online

Buying eyewear online could be risky business, especially where your children are concerned. How will you know the prescription is filled correctly? Are the customized measurements to fit the child’s facial structure done correctly for accurate visual acuity and comfort?

It is important that you consult a local professional, licensed optician, to ensure proper placement and positioning of child’s eyewear. He or she will be able to make any adjustments to the glasses for ultimate comfort and identify any problems that may exist with the prescription. Most opticians will have a rapport with your eye doctor and would be able to discuss any issues or concerns with them regarding the child’s vision.

By: Guest Blogger Amy Shabbat, Licensed Optician

If you or someone you know has a question about children’s eyeglasses, frames or lenses, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.

Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

About Dark Circles Under Your Eyes
Dark circles under the eyes are a very common complaint we hear from patients. Dark circles can actually be caused by a number of different causes and thus we need to address them and treat them differently.

Excess Eyelid Fat
The space behind the eye, known as the orbit, contains a significant amount of fatty tissue. Orbital fat probably evolved to help cushion the eye from impact. However, as we get older, the support structures which keep the fat behind the eye weaken, and the fat moves forward into the eyelids. This results in fullness to the lower eyelids which most people find aesthetically unpleasing. This fullness, commonly referred to as bags under the eyes, makes people look older and tired. The best treatment for this type of problem is usually removal or repositioning of excess fat with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedure. Excess skin can be trimmed and tightened at the same time.

Hollowness in the Lower Eyelids
Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by a depression or hollowness in the lower eyelids. Patients who have this problem can usually feel the underlying bone when the area of hollowness is touched. Today, we are able to treat the hollowness with injectable volumizing fillers whose qualities make them appropriate for the delicate eye area. These non surgical treatments typically last 6-12 months. Sometimes it becomes necessary to perform fat grafting or repositioning of fat to reduce hollows under the eyes as well as performing a blepharoplasty or lid tightening procedure known as canthoplasty to improve the lower eyelid contour.

Hyperpigmentation of Eyelid Skin
Sometimes dark circles under the eyes can be caused by too much pigmentation of the skin, although this is the least common cause. Patients often think that they have hyperpigmentation but what they are seeing is shadows from excess eyelid fat or hollowness at the orbital rim. If after examination and consultation patients do in fact have too much pigmentation of the eyelids we can use prescription bleaching creams that might be helpful.

Dr. Purewal
Cosmetic Plastic Eye &
Reconstructive Surgeon 

If you or someone you know would like help for dark circles under their eyes, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999 to schedule a consultation with Cosmetic Eye Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Baljeet Purewal, M.D.

Remember Eye Exams for Kids

As the summer winds down and we get ready for the kids to go back to school let’s remember the importance of eye exams to make sure they have a solid eye health and vision foundation from which to begin school year. Children use their eyes and vision as critical tools in their learning process, especially when we consider the demanding visual environment and vision related tasks in the classroom as they read and write, use computers and tablets, but also for sports and recreation.

Importance of Regular Eye Exams for Children

Regular eye exams are important to detect changes to children’s vision or any eye problems that might hinder their overall well being and academic performance. The most frequent eye problems we find in school age kids are the common vision problems of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Sometimes, not having clear vision in the classroom can lead to the undeserved perception of a behavioral problem or attention problem.

 

Dr. Louis Furlan
Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Potential Signs & Symptoms of Children’s Vision Problems

·  Frequent eye rubbing or blinking

·  Short attention span

·  Avoiding reading and other close activities

·  Frequent headaches

·  Covering one eye

·  Tilting the head to one eye

·  Holding reading materials close to the face

·  An eye turning in or out

·  Seeing double

·  Losing place when reading

·  Difficulty remembering what he or she read

If your notice your child exhibiting any of these behaviors please let us know so that we can evaluate their significance, if any. Your child should have an eye exam at least once every two years and even more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist, or if we find the need to address specific eye condition, problems of issues. As you know, the earlier we detect and address children’s vision problems, the better is the chance we will be successful in treatment.

If you or someone you know has a question or needs to schedule a children’s eye exam, please call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center, Google+ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center is located at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, and is conveniently located for patients from throughout central and northern New Jersey.