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Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2019.58.04.14

Do Orthoptic Exercises Have Any Influence on Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Convergence Insufficiency and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Barbara Dawidowsky ; Zagreb Children’s Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Branimir Cerovski ; Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Aleksandra Klobučar ; Zagreb Children’s Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Krsto Dawidowsky ; Zagreb University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia


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Abstract

The aim was to determine whether improvement of near point of convergence (NPC) and binocular vision after orthoptic exercises had any impact on children and adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and convergence insufficiency (CI). In this clinical trial, 50 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years diagnosed with ADHD and CI received orthoptic therapy that included home-based exercises (pencil push-ups and stereograms) and office-based therapy on synoptophore. Binocular vision and NPC were measured before, during and after therapy. Study subjects showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in NPC and binocular vision after orthoptic exercises. We found statistically significant correlation between stereovision improvement (Lang I) and near point of convergence, suggesting that improvement of binocular function is
possible in children with ADHD and CI. Our results showed that NPC enhancement improved stereovision in patients with ADHD. Since progress of binocular function has positive effect on near work and diminishes visual symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD and CI, it might be reasonable to suppose that orthoptic therapy helps these children improve concentration as well. Further studies are needed to determine whether it might have positive impact on attention.

Keywords

Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; Ocular motility disorders; Vision, binocular

Hrčak ID:

235163

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/235163

Publication date:

1.12.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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