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The now well-known developmental disorders ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are often comorbid with eye issues, and there can be substantial overlap of the symptoms caused by ADD/ADHD and some vision issues.
Both ADD/ADHD and certain vision issues can lead to learning difficulties, and in similar ways. ADD and ADHD, as is widely known, can make it difficult for someone to concentrate, especially in a classroom setting. In particular, reading for extended periods can be very challenging. Slower than normal responses in class, and a lack of attention to details are also common symptoms.
Vision issues, such as convergence insufficiency, can also cause similar difficulties. Conversion insufficiency is when the eyes have difficulty coming together to focus on a single task or object, such as the words on a page. A child suffering from this issue will have significant eye strain while reading, which makes it a difficult task, especially for longer periods of time. This goes beyond just reading, as the mechanical focusing difficulty will make it more difficult in general to properly pay attention in a classroom setting. Seeing the board can be a challenge, and difficult.
Other common symptoms of vision issues which can be mistaken for ADHD symptoms include
As mentioned above, vision problems are commonly found in people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. One recent study showed that more than 15 percent of children with vision problems also have ADHD, as compared to only about 8 percent of children without a vision problem.
However, questions can be asked about this apparent connection. Because many of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD are so similar to those of vision problems, it may be that in many cases a child exhibiting them is assumed to have ADD or ADHD, which are more well known learning disabilities than eye issues like conversion insufficiency.
Just like a child with normal vision can have ADHD, so too a child with vision issues does not necessarily have ADHD. However, it is believed that one does not cause the other.
At the same time, it is also possible for one to have both ADHD and a vision problem. In cases like this, the vision issue is likely to make the ADHD symptoms even more pronounced.
Convergence insufficiency is the vision problem most commonly associated with ADHD. Convergence insufficiency is when the eyes aren’t properly focusing together on near tasks, which can lead to symptoms ranging from slow reading and eye irritation to blurry or double vision.
In fact, a recent study has found that children diagnosed with ADHD are three times as likely to have convergence insufficiency.
However, there is not a complete consensus on whether ADHD and convergence insufficiency are directly related, or if the higher prevalence of ADHD diagnoses is simply due to convergence insufficiency being a less well known condition, and thus many children dealing with it are assumed to have the ADHD
Because the symptoms of ADHD and some vision problems can be so similar, questions must be asked about the potential for a misdiagnosis. Children may not realize they have a vision problem, and become frustrated in school, leading them to act out--something else than can lead their teachers to believe they have ADHD.
Misdiagnosis can have very serious consequences for a child. If they are mistakenly thought to have ADHD instead of a vision issue, not only will they not receive proper treatment for that issue, but they may be given treatment which they do not need. Additionally, there remains a stigma attached to those with ADHD, which can be stressful enough for a child who actually has ADHD. If a child does not even have ADHD, there is no reason they should be put through that stress, which can lead to lower self-esteem.
If you suspect that your child may have a vision problem or ADD/ADHD, it is important to take action quickly, as in either case, leaving the condition untreated will just lead to it getting worse, and can lead to self-esteem issues if your child is struggling in school. A developmental eye exam will be able to tell you if your child has a vision issue, and what course of action should be taken regarding treatment. Developmental eye exams evaluate eye control, how they work together, and how they focus on a task. This goes beyond the simple eye tests that test one’s vision. A child can have 20/20 vision but still be struggling with a different sort of vision issue.
If your child is found to have a vision issue, your optometrist will recommend treatment based on their individual needs. One highly effective treatment is vision therapy, which works to improve the patient’s ability to control and focus their eyes. Vision therapy is a highly individualized treatment, and it is designed to be very child-friendly through the use of fun exercises that help them develop and train the skill they need to correct the problem.
ADD/ADHD are distinct from vision problems. However, there can be significant overlap in terms of the symptoms expressed. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get their vision properly tested so that you know what the cause of their problem is and what treatment they require. Contact our office to schedule an appointment for a developmental eye exam. You can schedule an eye exam by calling (562) 925-6591. Patients with developmental vision issues visit our clinic from all over California, and we are proud to be a leading provider of developmental vision services for patients from Bellflower, Long Beach, Lakewood, and Los Angeles.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
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