Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos
05:32

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

9.4K

Ocular findings in patients with attention deficit and hyperactivity

P B Ulucan Atas1, O M Ceylan2, Y E Dönmez3

  • 1Department of Ophtalmology, Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazig, Turkey. pamuk.b@hotmail.com.

International Ophthalmology
|July 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit reduced contrast sensitivity and thinner nasal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. These findings suggest potential visual processing differences in ADHD and may inform environmental adjustments.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • Ocular characteristics in children with ADHD are not fully understood.
  • Previous research has not extensively explored visual functions like contrast sensitivity and retinal structure in ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate ocular findings, contrast sensitivity, color perception, and macular and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children with ADHD.
  • To compare these visual parameters between children with ADHD and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 37 children aged 6-16 diagnosed with combined ADHD and 37 age-matched healthy controls.
  • Ophthalmological examinations including Ishihara color vision testing and Functional Acuity Contrast Test.
  • Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for macular and RNFL thickness measurements.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in ocular findings, color vision, or convergence insufficiency were observed.
  • Children with ADHD showed significantly lower contrast sensitivity at four spatial frequencies (1.5, 3, 12, 18 cpd).
  • The ADHD group had significantly thinner nasal quadrant RNFL and macular thickness compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Children with ADHD demonstrate significantly reduced contrast sensitivity and thinner nasal RNFL thickness.
  • These visual alterations may be associated with ADHD pathophysiology.
  • Recommendations include enhancing contrast in daily tools and environments for individuals with ADHD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorderColor visionContrast sensitivityOphthalmological findingsOptical coherence tomography

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD10:02

Event Related Potentials ERPs and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

Published on: March 12, 2020

16.5K
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients05:48

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients

Published on: June 12, 2020

6.2K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
612
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
8.3K
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K
Accessory Structures of the Eye01:17

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
3.1K
Focusing of Light in the Eye01:16

Focusing of Light in the Eye

Light rays enter the eye through the cornea, a transparent dome-shaped tissue that is the eye's outermost layer. The cornea bends or refracts, light rays traveling to the pupil. The shape of the cornea determines how much of the light is bent and whether the image will be focused correctly on the retina at the back of the eye. Once the light has passed through both refraction layers, it converges into a single focal point onto a small area. This is where photoreceptors start transforming...
4.8K