Vision Problems vs. ADHD in Children

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-7% of school-aged children are diagnosed with Attention-Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). And studies have actually estimated higher rates in community samples. But how many of those diagnosed children don’t, in fact, suffer from ADHD, and instead lose focus because of poor eyesight?

Signs and symptoms of both conditions are similar: Poor concentration, reduced attention span, high level of distractibility and silly mistakes.

Sight disorders prevent proper functionality, especially when it comes to schoolwork. Children get frustrated when they can’t perform, which frequently leads to misbehavior. Too often this is diagnosed as ADHD. It’s important to get children’s sight assessed early so they aren’t misdiagnosed with ADHD. Glasses, contacts, eye exercises, and treatment of eyesight issues will give children what they need to encourage normal development.

What You Can Do

Keep an eye on your children from a young age and look for:

  • Difficulty when looking through picture books
  • Squinting
  • Frequent headaches
  • Eye soreness
  • Frequent rubbing of the eyes

If you have any concerns about your child’s eyes or vision, the ophthalmologists at Vistar Eye Center are happy to help. Our specialists in children’s eye health will help you figure out the right path to take for the healthy development of your child.