-begin paste-------

Clinical Study

Eye (2007) 21, 494-502. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702240; published online 3 March
2006

Visual function and ocular features in children and adolescents with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with and without treatment with
stimulants
M A Grönlund1, E Aring1, M Landgren2 and A Hellström1

  1.. 1Section of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, The
Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
  2.. 2Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital of Skaraborg, Skövde, Sweden
Correspondence: MA Grönlund, Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Section
of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, The Queen Silvia
Children's Hospital, The Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, SE 416 85
Göteborg, Sweden. Tel: +46 31 343 4688; Fax: +46 31 848 952; E-mail:
marita.gronl...@neuro.gu.se

Received 5 July 2005; Accepted 29 November 2005; Published online 3 March
2006.

The abstract:
Aims

To investigate visual function and ocular features in children with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and establish whether
treatment with stimulants is reflected in functioning of the visual system.

Methods

Detailed ophthalmologic evaluations without and with stimulants were
performed in 42 children (37 boys) with AD/HD, mean age 12 years, and
compared with a reference group (ref; n=50; mean age 11.9 years; 44 boys).
For a comparison between two groups, Mann-Whitney's U-test was used for
ordered and continuous variables; for dichotomous variables, Fisher's exact
test was used. For paired comparison (with and without treatment), sign test
was used.

Results

In all, 83% had visual acuity of >0.8 (<0.1 logMAR) without treatment, 90%
with stimulants (ref 98%; P=0.032 and n.s., respectively). Heterophoria was
found in 29% without, and in 27% with, stimulants (ref 10%; P=0.038 and
n.s., respectively) and subnormal stereovision (>60 s of arc) in 26% (ref
6%; P=0.016) without stimulants, and in 27%, with (P=0.014). Abnormal
convergence (>6 cm or absent) was noted in 24% (ref 6%; P=0.031) without
treatment and in 17%, with (n.s.). Astigmatism (1.0 D) was observed in 24%
(ref 6%; P=0.03), and signs of visuoperceptual problems in 21% (ref 2%;
P=0.007). We found smaller optic discs (n=8/38) and neuroretinal rim areas
(n=7/38) (P<0.0001) and decreased tortuosity of retinal arteries (n=6/34)
(P=0.0002) than that of controls.

Conclusions

Children with AD/HD had a high frequency of ophthalmologic findings, which
were not significantly improved with stimulants. They presented subtle
morphological changes of the optic nerve and retinal vasculature, indicating
an early disturbance of the development of these structures.

Keywords:
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), stimulant medications,
visual function, ocular features

---end paste----

Interesting, how this study suggests an earlier disturbance. I imagine that
Ron would have suggested auditing to correct that! Also interesting, that
visual acuity was improved from 83% to 90% with stimulants.

begin 666 glyph.gif
M1TE&.#EA" `+`( ``/___P```"'Y! $`````+ `````(``L```(/A'^!&+K6
+'EPQN21SV_<5`#L`
`
end