Some eye conditions are more common in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These include refractive errors, such as astigmatism, and convergence insufficiency, which makes it difficult for the eyes to remain aligned when looking at nearby objects.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention and impulse control.

Visual impairments are not symptoms of ADHD. While there appears to be an association between some eye conditions and the condition, scientists are not sure what the connection is.

In this article, we look at ADHD and the eyes in more detail, including the relationship with visual impairments, whether ADHD causes blurry vision, and what can help with these conditions.

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Visual disturbances are not part of the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. However, there is an association between conditions affecting eye health and ADHD.

An older 2016 surveyTrusted Source of children with and without visual impairment found that ADHD diagnoses were more common in those with visual impairment. Out of 75,000 children, 15.6% of those with vision problems also had an ADHD diagnosis, compared to 8.3% of those without vision problems.

Research has shown links between the disorder and some specific visual impairments. These include:

  • Astigmatic refractive error: Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, making vision blurry. Astigmatism is a type of refractive error, and it is more commonTrusted Source in children with ADHD.
  • Convergence insufficiency: Convergence insufficiency means that the eyes lose alignment when a person tries to focus on a nearby object, causing blurry or double vision. In a 2020 study evaluating common vision difficulties in children, the researchers found significant challenges with near-point convergence in children with ADHD compared with children without ADHD.
  • Color perception: A small, older study from 2006 found that children with ADHD made more mistakes when asked to identify colors, especially those in the blue-yellow range, than children without ADHD. They were also slower when asked to say the names of colors in certain tests. However, as this study included only 27 children, it may not be generalizable to wider ADHD populations.

Scientists are not sure why visual conditions and ADHD appear to be related, but there are some theories. The first relates to executive function.

Executive function refers to a person’s ability to plan, organize, and pay attention. People with ADHD sometimes have more executive function challenges than people without the condition.

People with visual impairments may experience this because they have to devote more of their attention to navigating the world, and so have a reducedTrusted Source ability to focus on other things. This may exacerbate ADHD symptoms or make them more obvious.

There is no evidence that eye health conditions play a role in causing ADHD.

No — being unable to unfocus the eyes on command is not an ADHD symptom. However, some eye conditions that affect the eye’s ability to focus are more commonTrusted Source in people with ADHD. For example, convergence insufficiency makes it difficult for the eyes to focus on close objects.

This does not mean that convergence insufficiency is an ADHD symptom — only that there may be an association between the two conditions.

Another possible reason that some children with ADHD may be unable to unfocus their eyes on command is that they may become hyperactive or distracted during visual tests.

Some eye conditions that cause blurry vision are more commonTrusted Source in people with ADHD. This includes astigmatism and convergence insufficiency. However, this does not mean that ADHD itself causes blurry vision.

Researchers have not established a causal connection between ADHD and any eye symptoms. This means that, so far, there is no evidence that ADHD on its own can cause blurry vision.

People with ADHD and eye conditions that affect vision may find that receiving treatment for their visual impairment helps with their ADHD symptoms.

An older 2012 randomized clinical trialTrusted Source on convergence insufficiency in children with ADHD found that after treatment for their eyes, the children reported fewer eye-related symptoms and better reading performance.

Once a person has clearer vision, they may find it easier to read, remain focused, and complete tasks. Some of the treatment options that could help include:

  • Glasses or visual aids: These can help ensure that adults and children with visual conditions have the correct glasses or contacts for their needs. Depending on the condition, other visual aids may help, such as magnifying tools or Braille.
  • Base-in prism glasses: These force the eyes to work harder to converge. They can help a person with convergence insufficiency to read. However, they can be tiring for the eyes, so people typically only use them for short periods.
  • Surgery: Some refractive errors and convergence problems respond well to laser eye surgery. A doctor can advise about whether this is a good option.
  • Vision therapy: This is similar to physical therapy in that it aims to retrain the eyes so that they move well together. It can help with eye movement, coordination, and focus.

People should not use eye patches to treat eye conditions such as convergence insufficiency.

Eye health resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on eye health.

In some cases, the outward symptoms of eye conditions in children may lead to a false diagnosis of ADHD. For this reason, it is important to seek an expert evaluation to diagnose ADHD, as this can rule out any other potential causes of these symptoms.

It is important to remember that while ADHD misdiagnoses can happen, it is possible to have both conditions. Parents, caregivers, and teachers should not attempt to diagnose either themselves.

Consult a doctor if an adult or child has trouble seeing, reading, or remaining focused.

Frequent headaches, eyestrain, or difficulty completing work may be signs of an eye condition, particularly if these symptoms only occur when a person needs to focus on something nearby, such as when reading or doing written homework.

A doctor can run preliminary tests. If ADHD is a possibility, they can make a referral to a specialist.

Follow up with an optometrist or ophthalmologist if:

  • A child continues to have vision problems after ADHD treatment.
  • A child’s vision gets worse.
  • Vision treatment does not seem to be working.

Follow up with a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist if:

  • ADHD treatment does not help.
  • Stimulant medications cause side effects.
  • A child has new or worsening ADHD symptoms or those of another mental health condition, such as depression.

Some eye conditions are more common in people with ADHD, so the two may have a connection in some way. At the moment, though, scientists are not sure where the link lies.

Difficulty seeing can cause or worsen problems with concentrating and completing tasks, so it is important to receive a professional visual evaluation and care. Treating both ADHD and eye-related symptoms can make it easier to focus and improve the quality of life.

ADHD resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on ADHD.