WHILE your eyes are often called the window to your soul, they could also offer clues to conditions like ADHD.
While your vision might appear fine, a study published last month found certain characteristicsat the back of the eye might point to the behavioural condition.
Scientists in South Korea trained computers to spot signs of , short forattention deficit hyperactivity disorder, by looking at changes in the eye.
An AI computer model was able to predict the condition with 96 per cent accuracy just by analysing images of the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, also called the .
The team found key signs in the retina, such as more blood vessels, thicker vessels, and smaller optic discs (how the eye connected to the brain), which could show someone has ADHD.
These eye changes may reflect how the brain develops in people with the condition since the retina is closely linked to the brain.
“Our analysis of retinal fundus photographs demonstrated potential as a noninvasive biomarker for ADHD screening,”;the researchers, led by a team from Yonsei University College of Medicine, wrote in their paper.
It’s estimated that up to 2.6million children and adults in the UK have been diagnosed with ADHD.
While globally, around five per cent of people are thought to be affected.
It can make people seem restless and cause them to get easily distracted.
Most cases are diagnosed in children under 12, but the number of .
Experts think this is due to a combination of increased awareness, decreased stigma, and improved access to healthcare.
For the new study, published in npj Digital Medicine, experts tested the AI model on eye images from 323 children and teens with ADHD and 323 without.
The AI system performed well in predicting ADHD and identifying key signs of the disorder, including differences in the retina and how well someone can focus their attention.
Next, the researchers want to try these tests across larger groups of people and wider age ranges.
The average age of participants in this study was 9.5 years, and we know ADHD in adultscan present quite differently.
A faster and more accurate diagnosis could help many people get the support they need sooner.
This is important as undiagnosed ADHD has been linked to struggles at work, and .
“Early screening and timely intervention can improve social, familial, and academic functioning in individuals with ADHD,”; the researchers said.
