Why All Kids Diagnosed with ADHD Should Have Their Eyes Examined
ADHD And Visual Learning
It’s a scenario all too familiar for many parents and teachers – a child diagnosed with ADHD, battling to stay focused, struggling with schoolwork, and often displaying behavioural challenges. While ADHD is a recognised condition, what if there’s more to the story?
Could vision problems be contributing to these difficulties?
The answer is a resounding yes. Children with ADHD frequently experience visual challenges that can complicate their academic journey. Read more about visual learning here.
ADHD and Vision Problems: A Complex Relationship
It might surprise you to learn that many children diagnosed with ADHD also experience visual difficulties that may not be immediately apparent. Conversely, some children who exhibit symptoms resembling ADHD might actually be grappling with underlying visual issues.
In both scenarios, these children may find it challenging to maintain concentration and attention due to limitations within their visual system.
One of the primary visual problems associated with ADHD is known as Convergence Insufficiency (CI). This condition disrupts binocular vision, a crucial aspect where both eyes should coordinate seamlessly. When coordination falters, it can seriously affect a child’s performance at school. In CI, children often experience double vision, eye strain, or blurred vision.
Research has established a robust link between ADHD and convergence insufficiency. A study published in Optometry and Vision Science in 2009 revealed that children with ADHD or similar behavioural patterns had a threefold higher rate of convergence insufficiency than the control group.
ADHD and related symptoms can cause difficulty tracking objects due to irregular, involuntary eye movements. In 2014, researchers at Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa, and Sheba Medical Center uncovered a direct correlation between ADHD and the inability to control eye movements when anticipating visual stimuli.
Read more about eye tracking and eye movements here.
Recognising Vision Problems in Children with ADHD
It’s essential to realise that even if a child with ADHD passes a school-based visual acuity test, critical visual skills like eye teaming, focusing and tracking may still be impaired. These skills are fundamental for reading and learning and can significantly impact academic performance.
To ascertain if your child’s vision issues are linked to their ADHD diagnosis, it’s advisable to schedule a comprehensive functional eye exam with a Behavioural Optometrist.
At Eyes by Design, our Behavioural Optometrist conducts thorough evaluations of your child’s vision, actively looking for signs of convergence insufficiency, other eye teaming problems, oculomotor dysfunction, focusing issues, amblyopia (lazy eye), and other visual problems.
Unlocking Potential: How Vision Therapy Can Make a Difference
Vision therapy could involve the use of specialised training lenses and/or a personalised program of eye exercises designed to enhance visual skills. According to the National Institutes of Health, 75% of young patients with convergence insufficiency reported either a complete return to normal vision or a significant reduction in symptoms after completing a vision therapy program.
Contact us for a Behavioural Eye Assessment to determine if vision therapy is the right approach for your child.
Our practice proudly serves patients from all over the Central Coast and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Nick Altuneg
Q: How can I tell if my child needs their vision checked?
A: Children rarely complain about vision problems. They assume that everyone else sees the same way they do. No one watches your child as much as you do. Pay attention to what you see and feel when you observe your child. If you feel that your child is not performing to their ability or that your child needs to put in a lot more effort to get results than their peers, then trust that little voice inside your head that is telling you that something isn’t right. Organise a Behavioural eye examination, it may be the most important thing that you do to contribute to your child’s future.
Q: What signs should I look out for?
A: In my experience, it is very common that a child has a visually related learning problem if you can answer yes to one or both of the following questions:
- Is your child underperforming relative to their ability
- Is your child better with numeracy than with literacy
The following signs are often observed when the child has visual or vision information processing disorders:
- Needing to use finger or a guide to prevent loss of place when reading
- Letter, number or word reversals
- Bringing the page very close when reading
- Words moving on the page
- Confusing words which appear similar
- Inability to sustain attention on the page
- Rapid fatigue with near work
- Inability to remember words
- Poor comprehension which deteriorates over time
Q: Does ADHD affect vision, or is it the other way around?
A: When children are underperforming with learning relative to their ability, then they either have a visually related learning problem, a specific reading problem or a combination of the two. A specific reading problem is another word for dyslexia and includes conditions such as ADHD.
A visually related learning problem is easy for a Behavioural Optometrist to diagnose and treat and provides positive results quickly.
A specific reading problem has many potential causes and requires much more complex investigation. A specific reading problem has many potential causes. These include but are not limited to – genetic factors, developmental delays, retained reflexes, poor motor/auditory/visual coordination, neurological or chemical imbalances, gut disorders, allergies or psychological conditions.
It makes a lot of sense to check the vision first. It can save a lot of time, stress, worry and money.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general eye health topics.
It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your health care professional prior to incorporating this as part of your health regimen.
Dr Nicholas Altuneg
For over two decades, my greatest passion has been helping people of all ages live improved lives through better vision. At Eyes by Design, vision is so much more than being able to see clearly or read small letters from far away; it determines your perceptions and reactions every second of the day.
Read more about Dr Nick
