The Underestimated Role of Refractive Error (Hyperopia, Myopia, and Astigmatism) and Strabismus in Children With ADHD

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association of refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) and strabismus with ADHD. Method: Based on data from the large, representative, epidemiological sample of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) study (N = 13,488), the associations of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and strabismus with ADHD were examined, with and without consideration of other common ADHD risk factors. Results: In single logistic regression models, all examined forms of refractive error and strabismus showed an association with ADHD. After controlling for confounding variables, results remained stable and showed an increased risk for ADHD in children with hyperopia, astigmatism, and strabismus compared with the control group. Only the association between myopia and ADHD in children was not significant. Conclusion: Hyperopia, astigmatism, and strabismus seem to be independently associated with ADHD. Health care professionals in different medical fields should consider this association to adequately diagnose and treat affected children.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-244
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of attention disorders
Volume25
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 30371126
ORCID /0000-0003-2132-4445/work/149437504

Keywords

Keywords

  • ADHD, attention deficit disorder, epidemiology, refractive error, strabismus