FAMILIAL PSYCHOGENIC BLINDNESS AND HEADACHE - A CASE-STUDY

Background: Amaurosis is an uncommon conversion phenomenon, which to o ur knowledge has never been reported in multiple family members. Metho d: A man and his two adult children, all afflicted with periods of bli ndness and accompanying severe headaches for varying periods of time ( days to years), were examined and extensively studied radiologically a nd with multiple laboratory tests. Results: In all three individuals, no evidence of organic disease was found; all three recovered to varyi ng degrees, usually after suggestion. Conclusion: Psychogenic amaurosi s with headaches can simulate migraine; the mechanism for occurrence i n a family is probably similar to that of mass hysteria.