Non-organic visual loss

Abstract

SummaryVisual complaints without a physical basis are not uncommon presentations to the general physician, the neurologist, or the ophthalmologist. These alleged visual disturbances may be psychogenic or feigned. The diagnosis is made when all possible contributory pathology of the visual system is excluded, and reassurance remains the cornerstone of management.

Explicit and Implicit Components of the Emotional Processing in Non-organic Vision Loss: Behavioral Evidence About the Role of Fear in Functional Blindness

“…Non-organic vision loss (NOVL) is a functional partial or global vision loss in which an organic disease or a pathology in the visual system does not explain a subjective visual disturbance ( Beatty, 1999 ; Stone et al, 2005 ; Bruce and Newman, 2010 ). Based on this description, NOVL might be considered a manifestation of a conversion disorder ( Stone et al, 2005 ; World Health Organization, 2007 ; Bruce and Newman, 2010 ).…”

Practical clinical approaches to functional visual loss

“…[27][28][29][30][31] Good prognostic indicators include young age and absence of any associated psychiatric disease. 27 Other non-specific treatments include non-medical eye drops, eye exercises, glasses or placebo medicine. Reassurance alone is significantly more likely to result in recovery than the addition of non-specific treatments.…”

Psychosomatik in der Augenheilkunde - Diagnose und Behandlungen

“…Es entstehen Fragen wie: Sehstörung ohne physisch/körperliche Erkrankung mit folgenden Wörtern: "funktional", "hysterisch", "Konversion", "neurotisch", und auch häufig ebenfalls unscharf mit dem Begriff "psychosomatisch" (Beatty 1999 Man geht von einer wesentlichen psychischen Beteiligung bei den sogenannten klassischen >>psychosomatischen Erkrankungenbekannt als "Holy Seven" aus, zu denen historisch die in der Infobox "Überblick" genannten Krankheitsbilder zählen (Abb. 6).…”