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.