Simulation and psychosomatic events in ophthalmology

Purpose The simulation is the act by which one seeks to mimic the symptoms of a disease with some ulterior motive. It occurs in people who seek to obtain compensation (through accident) or a legal or professional advantage. The simulation is to differentiate psychosomatic states requiring expertise neuro-ophthalmological and psychiatric long and complex. Methods This is a single-center retrospective study, conducted over the past ten years, performed in Picardy to the Eye Clinic St Victor, CHU d'Amiens. We identified 13 patients with suspected nonorganic visual loss. Once these patients are identified, we analyzed their records eye. We illustrate by these observations the diagnostic difficulties in ophthalmology to remove the organic and definitely eliminate nonorganic origin. Results Among the 13 clinical cases, 8 were referred for low vision, 2 for the deficit of the visual field and 3 for unexplained photophobia. These last three cases were found to be sunglass syndromes.Clinical, electrophysiological, psychosomatic features and testing strategies are discussed. Conclusion The ophthalmologist may need to see in consultation for patients with eye symptoms whose origin is other than "psychogenic". The challenge is to make the diagnosis with certainty and eliminate organic disease. The ophthalmologist can make use of subjective or objective methods and diagnostic testing that help diagnose simulation. In addition, four pathological traps are often problematic. He must think systematically: Stargardt's disease, optic atrophy, moderate keratoconus beginner, the visual hemi-neglect. Clinical examination and complementary examinations will say will affirm these diseases, which are difficult to diagnose early.