ADHD,
Convergence Insufficiency, and Other Eye Problems
 Within
the past decade, ADHD research has
found an interesting relationship between ADHD and vision problems.
In 2000, a study at the Ratner Children’s Eye Center in San
Diego found that patients with certain eye disorders were three
times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Researchers were not
sure why this correlation exists, but there are many possible reasons,
such as:
- ADHD may be causing vision
problems
- The same brain dysfunction
that causes ADHD may be affecting vision
- ADHD prescription medications
could be affecting vision
One of the main
eye disorders found in this ADHD study is called convergence insufficiency.
Convergence insufficiency is an eye muscle disorder that is a leading
cause of eyestrain, blurred vision, and headaches. People with convergence
insufficiency have trouble reading and doing close work because,
to prevent double vision, the person has to exert extra effort to
make the eyes focus, or “converge.”
Clearly, these
vision difficulties could affect ADHD
and education, and then later, ADHD
in the workplace. If your ADHD child exhibits any of the following
symptoms, or if you are an adult with ADHD and have the following
symptoms, it’s recommended that you go to a vision specialist
for extensive testing:
- Double vision
- Eyestrain (particularly after
close work like reading, computer use, etc.)
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue and sleepiness
- Motion sickness
- Dizziness
- Covering one eye to read
- Daydreaming
- Poor handwriting
- Poor hand-eye coordination
A basic eye exam
will not detect convergence insufficiency and other more complicated
eye disorders. As a matter of fact, a person with convergence insufficiency
can pass the 20/20 eye chart test typically given by schools, pediatricians,
and eye doctors.
To ensure
that your ADHD child has healthy vision, you should take him or
her to get a comprehensive vision evaluation by an optometrist.
Speak with the optometrist in advance to discuss your concerns with
your child’s ADHD diagnosis and vision. By treating eye problems,
it can greatly improve an ADHD patient’s performance in school
and attempts to overcome the challenges of ADHD.
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