Systematic review of virtual reality therapy in the treatment of visual dysfunction in children with ADHD and dyslexia

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia are prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders that significantly impact educational and social functioning. Both conditions are frequently associated with comorbid visual dysfunction, which can further exacerbate learning and attentional difficulties. Virtual reality therapy (VRT) has emerged as a promising intervention for addressing visual impairments such as convergence insufficiency and binocular dysfunction in affected children. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of VRT in treating visual dysfunction in children with ADHD and/or dyslexia. 20 studies published between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed. VRT improved visual acuity (0.89-1.32 lines) and stereoacuity in amblyopia, reduced omission/commission errors (14.75/4.75 errors) in ADHD, and enhanced reading speed (r = 0.992) and visual perception (d = 0.93) in dyslexia, with gains comparable to patching for binocular dysfunction. VRT is an effective intervention for improving visual acuity, binocular function, visual attention, and processing speed in children with ADHD and/or dyslexia, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. Key strengths include its engaging, gamified design, which improves treatment adherence. However, the literature remains fragmented: most studies examine ADHD or dyslexia in isolation, with limited research on their comorbidity. Heterogeneity in study designs also constrains definitive conclusions. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies with large, well-designed randomized controlled trials with longitudinal follow-up to evaluate sustained efficacy.