VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN HYSTERIA

We have reviewed the charts of 45 neuro-ophthamological patients diagn osed with 79 monocular visual field or visual acuity losses secondary to non-organic etiology. Our aim was to determine the percentage of pa tients that have improvement in vision. As part of the protocol, all p atients had magnetic resonance images, pattern visual evoked potential s, and flash electroretinography in addition to complete neuro-ophthal mological examinations. A single physician performed both the initial and follow-up examinations of all patients. Thirty-three percent of th ese patients had visual field defects only, 62% had both visual field defects and visual acuity defects, and 5% had only visual acuity defec ts. After organic disease was ruled out, all were given a timetable fo r recovery and clear reassurance regarding their prognoses for visual recovery. Seventy-eight percent of these patients showed improvement o r were normal, while 22% showed no improvement. Younger patients witho ut obvious psychiatric disorder had better prognoses than older patien ts.