Lens opacities in children using methylphenidate hydrochloride

To assess clinical findings of eye examination in children having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) administered with methylphenidate hydrochloride.

Fifty-seven consecutive patients diagnosed of ADHD and administered with oral methylphenidate hydrochloride treatment for at least one year were involved in this study (Group 1). Sixty healthy subjects (Group 2) having demographic features similar to group 1 were involved as a control group. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmological examination.

One hundred and seventeen consecutive subjects with a mean age of 11.2 ± 2.4 years (7-18 years) were enrolled. Fifty-seven consecutive patient (32 males, 25 females) under oral methylphenidate hydrochloride treatment (Group 1) and 60 healthy control subjects (30 males, 30 females) (Group 2)) were recruited for this prospective study. The mean methylphenidate hydrochloride dosage was 0.9 ± 0.1 mg/kg/day and the mean duration of methylphenidate hydrochloride usage was for 2.73 ± 0.73 years (1-7 years). High intraocular pressure was not observed in any of the patients in our study. We detected lens opacities in five eyes of five patients in group 1 (p = 0.019). The patient with the highest degree of cataract formation had been using MPH for 84 months and this patient's cataract score was P4.

Long-term use of methylphenidate may cause lens opacities. In particular, patients who have been using methylphenidate for more than two years should go for regular eye examination.