Association between ocular trauma and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adult patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential relationship between ocular trauma and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related clinical outcomes in adults.

METHODS

This prospective case-control study included 108 ocular trauma patients and 90 age-sex-matched healthy control. The ocular trauma group was separated into the subgroups home accident, outdoor activity, and work related in terms of the reasons for ocular trauma, and as ocular surface problems, blunt trauma-related, and open globe injury in terms of the clinical findings. The ADHD-related clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS). The outcomes were compared between ocular trauma and control groups, and ocular trauma subgroups.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics of ocular trauma groups and controls were similar (P > 0.05, for all). In comparison to the control group, the ocular trauma group had higher total WURS score and WURS subscale scores, but not significantly (P > 0.05, for all). According to comparisons of the subgroups separated by the reasons, there was significant difference in the mean behavioral problems/impulsivity scores in favor of outdoor activities (P = 0.015). On the other hand, the mean scores for WURS subscales of the subgroups separated by the clinical findings were similar (P > 0.05, for all).

CONCLUSION

WURS scores in ocular trauma patients are similar to control; however, the score in behavioral problems/impulsivity subscales is higher for ocular trauma caused by outdoor activities.