ADD/ADHD and Ocular Conditions

Valerie Tosswill, Dip.App.Sc. D.O.B.A.

It has been reported that children with ADHD are three times more likely to have convergence insufficiency than other children. Additionally, it is widely regarded that a child with ADHD often has learning difficulties. This paper reviews 50 children seen in the Orthoptic Department at The Royal Far West Children’s Health Scheme who had been diagnosed with ADHD. Each child underwent an orthoptic screening prior to commencing prescribed stimulant medication. Visual acuity, cover-test, ocular movements, binocular single vision, convergence and the notation of an ocular history were all undertaken during screening. In some cases, accommodation, pupil reactions and colour vision were also assessed. Results show that 22% of children screened had convergence insufficiency, indicating that this ocular condition is quite prevalent amongst the paediatric ADHD population.