Ophthalmologist Questions Astigmatism

Does ADHD medication lead to astigmatism as a side effect?

My son is 8 years old and has been suffering from autism. He has continuously been on ADHD medications like vyvanse. I just came across a reading which said these medications could cause conditions like astigmatism as a side effect. Is this true?

8 Answers

No
I have never had a patient with ADHD medication that got astigmatism attributable to the medicine. Astigmatism is nothing more than an irregular curvature of the front of the eye. It is quite common, and can change in amount and position without known cause. It can decrease in amount, too, such that it does not exist. So I would not worry about it. Astigmatism is not a disease. It simply means that the front windowshield of the eye, the cornea, has a shape somewhat like a piece of a football instead of a piece of a basketball.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology knows of no report to substantiate this fear.

G. Pomerance, MD
Should not
An astigmatism is the curve of the cornea, (the clear front surface of the eye). The shape, curve, and length of the eye develops at birth and continues to change as a child grows up until the age of between 18-21 years of age. Medications are not responsible for the curve of the cornea (the astigmatism). Most astigmatisms can be corrected with glasses if the vision is impaired. Most of the general population has some degree of astigmatism.
Overall, there do not appear to be any significant adverse effects from Vyvanse in children using this for ADHD. Some report blurred vision, which if noted, warrants an eye exam. Development of astigmatism (to my knowledge) is not a known side effect
Not true
In fact, ridiculous
There is no relationship between this class of medications and the development of astigmatism. In fact, there is no known medication that will cause astigmatism.