Association Of Accommodative Amplitude And Lag With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Background: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in children today. Researchers have found links between tracking deficits, convergence insufficiency, and ADHD diagnosis, but little research exists on the relationship between accommodation and ADHD. This study investigates whether there is a correlation between ADHD and accommodation dysfunction. Methods: Patients ages 7-18 in the Pediatrics Service at the University Eye CenterFerris
State University presenting for a comprehensive eye examination were invited to participate in the study. Patients and parents were given the opportunity to participate in an anonymous survey, produced and accredited by the American Pediatric Association, investigating symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity or else stated that the patient had already been diagnosed without the need to complete the survey. The student clinician then recorded the patient's amplitude of accommodation and accommodative lag at the conclusion of the eye exam in order to correlate the diagnosis with accommodative findings. Results: Using t-test and chi-square analyses, a statistically-significant link between lower than average lag of accommodation and ADHD was shown. A link between amplitude of accommodation and attention disorders was not significant. Conclusions: While accommodative lag was shown to correlate with ADHD symptoms, further investigation is necessary in determining if accommodative amplitude correlates with attention and hyperactivity disorders.