[Testing and approach when non-organic visual loss is suspected]. / Prüfung und Vorgehen bei Verdacht auf nichtorganische Sehstörung.

ABSTRACT

Approximately 5% of the patients in the ophthalmological practice suffer from non-organic vision loss. In children non-organic vision loss has been observed from the age of 6 years. In order to be able to make a rapid diagnosis knowledge of the relevant clinical tests is decisive. If a patient shows signs of non-organic visual loss, diagnostic externalization of the visual function is crucial. Depending on the symptoms there are various tests, which can be used to differentiate between organic and non-organic disorders. For therapeutic and economic reasons an early diagnosis of a non-organic visual loss is crucial. Ophthalmologists need to differentiate between malingering and augmentation, where the patient is aware of the fraud and tries to gain personal benefit from it, and somatoform disorders. In the latter, a more sensitive approach is recommended.