A Study on Changes in Retinal and Choroidal Structure in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and macular choroidal thickness in children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Materials and Methods: Conducted in 2019, this study included 30 children diagnosed with ADHD using the K-SADS psychometric tool, along with 30 age and sexmatched healthy controls. All participants underwent full ophthalmologic examinations, including best corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, and fundus evaluation. OCT was used to measure RNFL, GCL, and macular choroidal thickness. Data were analyzed statistically to determine differences between the groups.
Results: The mean age was 9.90 ± 2.15 years in the ADHD group and 9.10 ± 2.80 years in the control group, with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of RNFL, GCL, or choroidal thickness between the two groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that structural changes in the retinal and choroidal layers are not prominent in children with ADHD. These findings suggest a lack of direct anatomical correlation. Further studies with larger populations are recommended to validate these results.
Keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, choroid, optical coherence tomography