Many people may not realize that there is a strong connection between ADD/ADHD and vision issues. Research has shown that individuals with these conditions often experience visual processing difficulties, which can affect their ability to concentrate and focus. These visual processing issues can include problems with eye tracking, focusing, depth perception, and more.
Convergence insufficiency
When you think of ADD/ADHD, you most likely think of symptoms like difficulty focusing, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. However, what often gets overlooked are the visual symptoms that can accompany these conditions. One common issue is convergence insufficiency, where the eyes have trouble working together when focusing on close objects. This can lead to eye strain, double vision, and headaches—all of which can make it even harder for individuals with ADD/ADHD to concentrate.
Visual processing difficulties
People with ADD/ADHD may also experience visual processing difficulties. This means they may have trouble interpreting and making sense of visual information. For example, they might struggle with reading comprehension or have difficulty following moving objects. If left untreated, these issues can impact academic performance and overall quality of life.
Accommodative dysfunction
Another vision-related issue that can be linked to ADD/ADHD is accommodative dysfunction. This happens when your eyes struggle to focus on objects at different distances. As a result, you may have trouble switching your focus from near to far objects quickly and accurately. This can make tasks like reading or driving more challenging and frustrating.
Eye tracking problems
Eye tracking problems are another common visual symptom experienced by individuals with ADD/ADHD. This means that your eyes may have trouble following a moving object or staying on track when reading lines of text. As you can imagine, this can impact everything from sports performance to everyday activities like reading or driving.
If you or someone you know is struggling with both ADD/ADHD and visual symptoms, vision therapy may be able to help. At SIGHT’s Farmington Multispecialty Center, we offer vision therapy in Farmington to help patients improve their visual skills and relieve symptoms related to ADD/ADHD. We offer personalized vision therapy programs to help treat a range of conditions and enhance your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!