Children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD) often struggle with focus, attention, and behavior. What many don’t realize is that some of these symptoms can be linked to vision problems rather than neurological ones.
In fact, vision issues can mimic or even exacerbate the symptoms of ADHD, making it difficult to diagnose and treat the root cause effectively.
This is where vision therapy comes in. It is a specialized program designed to improve the visual skills needed for learning and everyday tasks, and it can be an effective way to treat the visual symptoms often associated with ADHD or ADD.
How Vision Problems Can Mimic ADHD Symptoms
Both ADHD and vision problems can cause symptoms like:
- Difficulty focusing on tasks, especially reading or close-up work
- Skipping words or lines while reading
- Trouble with eye-hand coordination, such as difficulty copying from the board
- Fatigue, headaches, or eye strain after short periods of concentration
- Avoidance of reading or homework
These symptoms can lead to a diagnosis of ADHD, especially in children, when the root issue could be a visual problem. Conditions like convergence insufficiency (the inability to focus both eyes on a close object) or accommodative dysfunction (difficulty shifting focus between near and far objects) can result in behaviors that look like inattention, restlessness, or frustration.
What Is Vision Therapy?
Vision therapy is a customized treatment program that strengthens the connection between the eyes and the brain. It helps retrain how the eyes function together, improving skills such as focus, tracking, and coordination.
Unlike glasses or contact lenses that correct the eyes' shape or light refraction, vision therapy works on the eyes’ ability to move, focus, and work as a team.
Therapy sessions may include activities like:
- Eye tracking exercises
- Focus flexibility training
- Strengthening the ability to switch between near and far objects
- Coordinating both eyes for tasks like reading or playing sports
These exercises are designed to be done both in-office and at home, with the goal of improving visual skills over time. offers vision therapy as part of a holistic approach to treating vision-related symptoms of ADHD or ADD, helping patients build the visual stamina needed for school, work, and daily life.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Vision Therapy
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD but continues to struggle with focus, reading, or visual tasks, it’s worth considering an eye exam to see if vision therapy could help.
Here are some signs that your child may have a vision problem contributing to their ADHD-like symptoms:
- Trouble staying focused on close-up work: This could include reading, writing, or completing homework. Children with vision issues may appear distracted or restless when trying to focus on these tasks.
- Poor reading comprehension or skipping lines: If a child frequently loses their place while reading, it may not be an attention issue but rather a tracking problem, which can be improved with vision therapy.
- Behavioral issues in the classroom: Children who can’t see or focus properly may become frustrated, leading to disruptive behavior. Teachers might mistake this frustration for ADHD symptoms.
- Frequent headaches or eye strain: If your child complains of headaches or eye discomfort after reading or using digital devices, this may be a sign that their eyes are working too hard to focus.
The Impact of Digital Devices on Vision and ADHD
Children are spending more time on screens than ever before—whether for school, entertainment, or socializing. Prolonged screen time can contribute to digital eye strain and make it harder for children with ADHD to focus, as the constant glare and visual demand can overwhelm their developing eyes.
Vision therapy can help combat the effects of digital strain by improving visual endurance and helping children adapt to the demands of frequent screen use. The Office of Dr. Lorelei Zeiler also recommends strategies like the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain.
How Can Help
At The Office of Dr. Lorelei Zeiler’s practice, we specialize in both identifying and treating visual problems that may be mistaken for ADHD.
Through comprehensive eye exams and personalized vision therapy programs, we can help children and adults overcome visual challenges and improve their focus, academic performance, and overall quality of life.
Whether your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or is struggling with symptoms that could be related to vision, we’re here to help. Vision therapy may be the missing piece in your child’s ADHD treatment, providing a clear path to better focus and fewer frustrations.
If you or your child are experiencing ADHD-like symptoms, schedule a comprehensive eye exam with The Office of Dr. Lorelei Zeiler. Discover how vision therapy can help you improve focus and succeed in school or work.