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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