Functional visual loss
| Functional visual loss | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Ophthalmology, Optometry, Psychology, Clinical psychology |
| Symptoms | Loss of vision |
| Diagnostic method | Eye examination |
Functional visual loss (FVL) also known as Functional vision loss or Nonorganic visual loss (NOVL) is a reduction in
Disease
In
Epidemiology
The prevalence of Functional visual loss
It is more commonly seen in children at the age group 11–20 years and is seen more commonly in females (63%) than males.[3] Children usually complain bilateral blindness.[2]
Impact
The social impact of functional vision loss is largely economic. Unrecognized functional vision loss leads to fraudulent claims and undeserved benefits to the people. In case of legal blindness; Because of the financial impact and legal benefits including financial aids or reservations, optometrists and ophthalmologists are obligated to be absolutely certain that functional vision loss does not exist.[5]
Differential diagnosis
Before diagnosing Functional vision loss, the patient should be tested to rule out conditions which cause defective vision or even blindness in one or both eyes with normal anterior segment and a normal fundus. Some major conditions that should be considered include:
- Amblyopia- Amblyopia is a condition in which the brain fails to fully process input from one eye and over time favors the other eye and the vision in one become reduced.[6]
- occipital cortex.[7]
- visually evoked responses.[8]
- color vision defects and photophobia.[9]
- Chiasmal tumors- In chiasmal tumors, in addition to vision loss, sluggish pupillary reactions and characteristic visual field defects may be noted.[8]
Investigations
Treatment
Reassurance is the best treatment that can be given for a patient who is diagnosed with functional vision loss.[2] Ask about stress, anxiety, and depression and refer for appropriate psychiatric treatment if needed.[2] It is important to emphasize to the patient that FVL has a good prognosis, thereby increasing the patient's hope and giving the patient a chance for recovery.[4] Cognitive behavioral therapy or pharmaco therapy for psychiatric ailments may be needed sometimes.[1]
Further reading
- Enzenauer, Robert W. (2014). Functional ophthalmic disorders : ocular malingering and visual hysteria. William R., M.D. Morris, Thomas O'Donnell, Jill Montrey. Cham. )
References
- ^ from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ a b c d "Functional Visual Loss - EyeWiki". eyewiki.aao.org. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ a b "Functional Visual Loss". webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
- ^ from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Themes, U. F. O. (26 December 2019). "Functional (Nonorganic) Visual Loss". Ento Key. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Facts About Amblyopia". National Eye Institute. September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "Dictionary of Eye Terminology". Archived from the original on 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2005-10-13.
- ^ ISBN 9789352706860.)
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ "Cone Dystrophy - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD". rarediseases.org. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-04-20.