J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1996 Dec;37(12):2118-2124.

Functional Visual Loss in Children

• Kang YH
• Yu YS

Abstract

Funtional visual loss is the state of visual decrement without specific underlying organic causes. There had been no report in childhood in Korea. We reviewed the children's cases retrospectively to show the clinical characteristics that had been diagnosed functional visual loss. They visited one pediatric ophthalmologist in Seoul National University Hospital from August, 1988 to September, 1994. The numbers of the children who finally diagnosed in functional visual loss were sixteen, and the average age at diagnosis was 8.8 years. The prevalence was 1.04 % every year, and their chief compIaints wew binocular visual loss in 12 children, and monocular visual loss, unstable visual acuity, binocular visual loss with color sense abnormality, and binocular visual loss with strabismus in each 1 child. Their previous diagnosis before visiting our hospital was consisted of amblyopia in 11 children, optic atrophy in 1 child and retrobulbar neuritis in 1 child. Finally the 16 children proved to have normal visual acuity through fogging test using phoropter and their other problem also proved to be normal except one child who was anxiety disorder. We explained the state of patient to parent and did supportive therapy to the patient and parents. There were no recurrence of visual loss in our cases. As above the resuIts, functional visual loss in childhood was intended to diagnose to amblyopla or optlc neuropathy. So we should do careful examination not to waste efforts or costs.

MeSH Terms

Amblyopia
Anxiety Disorders
Child*
Diagnosis
Humans
Korea
Optic Atrophy
Optic Neuritis
Parents
Prevalence
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Seoul
Strabismus
Telescopes
Visual Acuity
Weather