Assessment of changes in the macula and optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

INTRODUCTION

To assess if there are any differences in macular and papillary thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with a control group, including if there are differences between ADHD patients with and without treatment.

METHODS

Prospective observational study including 92 eyes of 46 patients divided into 2 groups: 46 eyes of 23 patients with ADHD, and a control group of 46 eyes of 23 healthy patients. The group of patients with ADHD was subdivided into those on treatment with methylphenidate (n=28) and those not on treatment (n=18). The macular thickness, the ganglion cell complex (GCC), and the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) at the papillary level were measured in 12 sectors.

RESULTS

A lower central macular thickness was observed in the ADHD patients than in the controls (257.4±20μm versus 267.5±20μm, P=.013), with no differences observed in the GCC (P=.566), or in the RNFL (P=.095). There were no differences in the patients with ADHD with and without treatment, as regards macular thickness and the GCC (P=.160 and P=.375 respectively), but a lower foveal thickness (P=.018) and RNFL in 5/12 sectors at the papillary level (P=.033) were observed in those without treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

A lower macular thickness was observed in patients with ADHD than in controls. In addition, patients with ADHD without treatment had a lower thickness of the fovea and RNFL than those patients on treatment.