[Classical Medical Mistakes - Lack of Appreciation of Psychological Components]. / Klassische ärztliche Fehlleistungen ­ die Verkennung psychologischer Komponenten.

Detailed evidence for psychogenic effects after an accident: evidence from 3 expert reports.

Influence of psychological intervention before emergent ocular trauma surgery on patients' negative emotions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of preoperative psychological intervention on alleviating negative emotions in patients undergoing emergent ocular trauma surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 patients undergoing emergent ocular trauma surgery were selected using convenience sampling and randomly divided into control (n = 49) and experimental (n = 51) groups. Patients in the control group received conventional nursing and their counterparts in the observation group were treated with individualized psychological interventions including psychological support, relaxation training, and humanistic care based on conventional nursing care. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and fear visual analog scale (FVAS) scores were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The scores of SAS, SDS, and FAVS were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive psychological intervention effectively eliminates negative emotions in patients undergoing emergent ocular trauma surgery and accelerates their physical and mental recovery.

Psychosocial impact on anophthalmic patients wearing ocular prosthesis.

The aim of this study was to assess the improvement in psychosocial awareness of anophthalmic patients wearing ocular prostheses and its relationship with demographic characteristics, factors of loss/treatment, social activity, and relationship between professional and patient. Surveys including a form for evaluation of psychosocial pattern were conducted with 40 anophthalmic patients rehabilitated with ocular prosthesis at the Center of Oral Oncology in the authors' dental school from January 1998 to November 2010. The improvement in psychosocial awareness was assessed by comparing the perception of some feelings reported in the period of eye loss and currently. Wilcoxon tests were applied for comparison of patients' perception between the periods. χ(2) tests were used to assess the relationship between the improvement in psychosocial awareness and the variables of the study. In addition, the logistic regression model measured this relationship with the measure of odds ratio. The feelings of shame, shyness, preoccupation with hiding it, sadness, insecurity and fear were significant for improvement in psychosocial awareness. It was concluded that the anophthalmic patients wearing an ocular prosthesis has significant improvement in psychosocial awareness after rehabilitation.

A position paper in support of face transplantation in the blind.

Facially disfigured blind patients have historically been considered for face transplantation with skepticism. Although no formal position paper regarding their exclusion has been published to date, functional, social, rehabilitative, and ethical concerns related to blind patients' candidacy for face transplantation may be inferred. The authors provide a summary of these reservations and a counterargument to their assumptions, drawing on outcomes measures reported for face transplant procedures performed to date, and their own institutional experience in performing face transplants on blind patients. The authors therefore provide a rationale for the inclusion of facially disfigured blind patients in face transplantation protocols in the future.

Self-enucleation: forget Freud and Oedipus, it's all about untreated psychosis.

Self-enucleation is a rare but serious ophthalmological and psychiatric emergency. It has traditionally been considered to be the result of psycho-sexual conflicts, including those arising from Freud's Oedipal complex and Christian religious teaching. However, an analysis of published case reports suggests that self-enucleation is a result of psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia. Early treatment with antipsychotic medication in the case of unilateral or threatened self-enucleation might prevent some cases of blindness.

Bilateral self-enucleation in acute transient psychotic disorder: the influence of sociocultural factors on psychopathology.

Self-inflicted eye injuries are rare but a devastating consequence of a serious mental disorder. Bilateral self-enucleation also known as oedipism has been documented in ancient texts and myths. Various biologic, psychologic, and social theories have been put forward to explain this rare phenomenon. In this report, we describe a case of oedipism, which highlights the influence of sociocultural factors on the psychopathology in acute transient psychotic disorder.

Repercussão da visão monocular após trauma ocular / Impact of monocular vision after ocular trauma / Impacto de la visión monocular post trauma ocular

Pesquisa qualitativa convergente assistencial, que objetivou identificar percepções e significados referentes à perda visual de pacientes que apresentavam visão monocular devido ao trauma ocular. Participaram seis vítimas de trauma ocular com visão monocular, de um hospital referência em emergência. Os dados emergiram das falas das pessoas no grupo de convivência e de entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os resultados demonstraram expectativa de voltar a enxergar, dúvida quanto ao diagnóstico e ausência de acompanhamento, o qual despertou sentimento de angústia e situação conflituosa relacionada à perda da independência. O grupo de convivência foi considerado um elemento que contribuiu para um viver mais saudável, ao promover a troca de experiências e o compartilhar de saberes.

Convergent-care qualitative research, that aimed to identify perceptions and meanings related to visual loss in patients with monocular vision due to ocular trauma. Participants were six victims of ocular trauma with monocular vision, from a reference hospital in emergency. Data emerged from the speeches of people in the living group and from semi-structured interviews. The results showed the expectative to see again, the doubt on the diagnosis and lack of monitoring, which arouse the feeling of anguish and conflict situation related to loss of independence. The living group was considered a contributor to a healthier life by promoting the exchange of experiences and knowledge.

Investigación cualitativa convergente asistencial, que tuvo como objetivo identificar percepciones y significados relacionados con la pérdida visual en pacientes con visión monocular debido al traumatismo ocular. Los participantes fueron seis víctimas de trauma ocular con visión monocular, de un hospital de referencia en emergencia. Los datos surgieron de la voz de las personas en el grupo de convivencia y de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los resultados mostraron espera de volver a ver, duda sobre el diagnóstico y falta de acompañamiento, lo que provocó angustia y situación de conflicto relacionado con la pérdida de la independencia. El grupo de convivencia ha sido considerado colaborador para uno vivir saludable al promover el intercambio de experiencias y conocimientos.

Aspectos psicossociais envolvidos na reabilitação de pacientes com cavidade anoftálmica: implicações do uso de prótese ocular / Psychosocial aspects in the rehabilitation of patients with anophthalmic socket: implications of the use of ocular prosthesis

A integridade da face é condição que interfere no cotidiano do indivíduo sendo que a perda do globo ocular tem um impacto psicológico, demandando uma condição de adaptação. Intervenções como a reparação protética parecem produzir mudanças nos âmbitos emocional e comportamental. Objetivo: Identificar os aspectos psicossociais relacionados à ausência unilateral do globo ocular e avaliar a adaptação dos pacientes usuários de prótese ocular. Métodos: Para realização da pesquisa foi utilizado como instrumento de coleta de dados um roteiro de entrevista adaptado aos objetivos desse trabalho. Este foi composto por duas partes, a primeira referente a dados gerais de identificação do paciente e aspectos socioeconômicos. A segunda parte incluiu dados específicos sobre a perda e reabilitação ocular com 31 questões. Vinte e oito pacientes voluntários foram entrevistados. Resultados: A maioria era do gênero masculino (53,57 por cento). A idade variou entre 11 e 67 anos. O trauma foi o fator etiológico prevalente (60,71 por cento). Foi encontrada diferença estaticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre os escores dos sentimentos da época da perda e atualmente (z Wilcoxon=-4,41; p<0,001). Conclusão: Os dados evidenciaram dificuldades emocionais no processo inicial de contato com a condição de perda do olho e o papel da prótese como elemento de inclusão social, ressaltando a relevância do trabalho em equipe e do acesso a serviços de protetização para a adaptação desses pacientes.

Facial integrity is a condition which interferes in the daily life of the individual. The loss of an eyeball has psychological impact, requiring adaptation. Interventions such as prosthetic repair seem to lead to emotional and behavioral change. Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the psychosocial aspects related to unilateral anophthalmic socket and evaluate patient adaptation to prosthesis. Methods: All participants responded to a semi-structured interview. This was composed of two parts, the first regarding the general data of patient identification and socioeconomic aspects. The second part included information about eye loss and rehabilitation, with 31 questions. Twenty-eight volunteers were interviewed. Results: Most were male (53.57 percent). Ages ranged between 11 and 67. Trauma was the prevalent etiological factor (60.71 percent). A significant statistical difference (p<0.05) was found between the scores of the feelings of loss before and after prosthesis (z Wilcoxon=-4.41; p<0.001). Conclusions: The data showed emotional difficulties in the initial contact with the loss of an eye and the role of the prosthesis as an element of social inclusion, stressing the importance of teamwork and access to fitting services in adapting these patients.

[Aniridia intraocular lenses in eyes with traumatic iris defects]. / Aniridie-Intraokularlinsen bei Augen mit traumatischen Irisdefekten.

BACKGROUND: Globe injuries frequently are the cause of permanent loss of visual function. Especially ruptures of the globe have a 50 times lower chance of achieving a final visual acuity better than 20/200 as compared to contusions of the globe. Besides injury to the retina and choroids, injury of the iris-lens diaphragm plays an important role for visual rehabilitation (10% iris defects and 1% aniridia after blunt trauma). Against this background the surgical results after implantation of aniridia intraocular lenses were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (41.9+/-19.6 years of age) after globe injury (three ruptures of the globe, eight penetrating injuries with trauma of the iris) were implanted with an aniridia IOL. RESULTS: The implantation of an aniridia IOL was performed on average 1.0+/-0.6 years (range: 0.4-2.3 years) after the primary injury. In ten eyes an aniridia IOL model HMK ANI 2 (Ophtec/Polytech) was implanted and in one eye an aniridia IOL model 67 (Morcher). Most patients were very satisfied with the results achieved (average corrected visual acuity 0.48; 0.05-1.0). Of the operated eyes, 63% reached a visual acuity > or = 0.4. All patients noticed a significant reduction in glare disability as compared to the preoperative condition. The incidence of secondary glaucoma remained unchanged after the secondary implantation. One patient demonstrated retinal detachment 3 months after receiving the secondary implant, which was successfully treated with vitrectomy and gas tamponade. CONCLUSIONS: The implantation of aniridia IOLs seems to be a beneficial therapeutic option in post-traumatic eyes with partial or complete aniridia and aphakia with good visual recovery. During the postoperative follow-up special attention must be paid to sufficient regulation of intraocular pressure and to the retinal situation.

The pediatric patient at a maxillofacial service: eye prosthesis / O paciente pediátrico em um serviço de prótese bucomaxilofacial: prótese ocular

Congenital absence or loss of the ocular globe during childhood causes psycho-social and cosmetic disorders and compromise the normal development of the orbital region. The literature relating to congenital or acquired etiology, due to trauma or disease, demonstrates the necessity of prevention and early detection in order to minimize the sequelae and disturbances in orbital growth. Installation of an eye prosthesis is essential to the rehabilitation process, so as to produce satisfactory development of the region. In order to characterize a profile of the child patient with this condition, a survey was carried out at the Prosthetic Eye sector, Out-patient Clinic, Discipline of Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (FOUSP), during the period from 1988 to 2003. The 124 (14.02 percent) patients within the age group of 0-13 years registered for ocular prosthesis were divided into a first group of 64 patients (51.62 percent) with 0-7 years, and a second group of 60 patients (48.38 percent) with 8-13 years. Fifty nine were girls and 65 were boys. No statistical significance was observed regarding the distribution of genders in the two analyzed age groups (p = 0.069). However, there was statistical significance at the level of 0.01 in relation to etiology, with higher prevalence of congenital and pathological disturbances in the younger group and traumatic occurrences in the older group. The etiology also presented variation according to the gender, at the significance level of 0.05, where girls presented three times less trauma than boys in the older age group. The necessity of prosthetic ocular repair was evenly distributed along the childhood period and the eye losses that required prosthetic treatment equally affected both genders. However, the etiology of eye loss varied according to the considered gender and age bracket.

A ausência congênita ou a perda do bulbo ocular na infância acarretam distúrbios estéticos e psico-sociais e comprometem o desenvolvimento normal da região orbitária. A literatura relacionada à etiologia congênita ou adquirida, devido a trauma ou doença, demonstra a necessidade da prevenção e da detecção precoce para minimizar as seqüelas e os distúrbios de crescimento orbital. A reabilitação implica a instalação de uma prótese ocular visando favorecer o desenvolvimento harmonioso da região. Com o objetivo de caracterizar o perfil do paciente infantil foi realizado um levantamento junto ao Setor de Prótese Ocular do Ambulatório da Disciplina de Prótese Bucomaxilofacial da FOUSP abrangendo o período de 1988 a 2003. As 124 (14,02 por cento) crianças registradas encontravam-se distribuídas em 64 (51,62 por cento) na faixa etária de 0 a 7 anos e 60 (48,38 por cento) na de 8 a 13 anos de idade, sendo 59 meninas e 65 meninos. A análise estatística revelou que a variação das ocorrências dos gêneros masculino e feminino nas faixas etárias não é significante (p = 0.069). Entretanto, a etiologia da perda variou segundo as faixas etárias consideradas, com um nível de significância de 0,01, apresentando uma maior prevalência de distúrbios congênitos e patológicos na faixa etária mais jovem e trauma na mais velha. A etiologia alterou-se de acordo com os gêneros com uma significância de 0,05, tendo as meninas apresentado três vezes menos trauma que os meninos na faixa etária mais velha. A necessidade de tratamento protético apresentou-se igualmente distribuída ao longo da infância e as perdas oculares que implicam reabilitação protética ocorreram igualmente nos gêneros masculino e feminino. Entretanto, a etiologia da perda ocular variou em função do gênero e da faixa etária considerada.

Self-inflicted eye injuries: a review.

PURPOSE: To review the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and management of self-inflicted eye injuries. METHODS: Review of the medical literature. RESULTS: Psychiatric theories of pathogenesis for self-inflicted behaviour include religious and sexual ideation, symbolism, guilt, and displacement. Biological theories include disorders of serotonergic, dopaminergic, and opiate neurotransmitters. Clinical characteristics of self-mutilators include acute or chronic psychoses, drug-induced psychoses, other psychiatric conditions, and certain organic states. The majority are young-to-early middle-aged male subjects, though it can also rarely occur in children. Management of self-inflicted eye injury requires close cooperation between ophthalmologists and psychiatrists as well as other medical specialists, to ensure quick resuscitation of the patient, prompt diagnosis and treatment of any injuries, and treatment of the underlying behaviour that led to the injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Self-inflicted eye injuries are a rare but important group of ophthalmic conditions that require close cooperation between different medical specialties to ensure optimum care of the often severely disturbed patient.

[Impact of assessing the mental status in rehabilitation of patients with eye injuries]. / Znachenie otsenki psikhicheskogo statusa v reabilitatsii bol'nykh s travmoi organa zreniia.

The authors discuss the significance of the mental status of patients with ocular injuries in effective medical rehabilitation of this category of patients. The most incident variants of mental status of such patients are enumerated. Special attention is paid to the probable exacerbation of the underlying mental disorders. Psychopathological conditions are to be treated by general practitioners, specifically, by ophthalmologists. Main trends of treatment are outlined.

Oedipism.

BACKGROUND: Oedipism or self-enucleation is a rare form of self-mutilation, and most often described in acutely psychotic patients, who have religious or sexual delusions. CLINICAL RECORD: A 47-year-old Chinese man with a history of chronic schizophrenia enucleated his own left eye and mutilated his right eye. The reason for his behaviour was unknown. The history and legends surrounding autoenucleation and the medical literature are reviewed. RESULTS: The patient was managed jointly with the psychiatrist. He suffered extensive injury to his right eye, resulting in loss of vision. CONCLUSION: The management of Oedipism requires close cooperation between ophthalmologists and psychiatrists. Precautions must be taken to prevent repeated attempts or other self-mutilatory behaviour.

Severe ocular self-injury.

To further delineate the clinical characteristics of patients who deliberately, severely mutilate their eyes, we reviewed the medical records of a specialty eye hospital and found nine cases of intentional, severe, self-inflicted eye injuries. We identified two groups of patients. Most were young psychotic individuals with severe psychopathology often involving sexual and religious delusions, command hallucinations, and the propensity to act on delusions. The second group was comprised of patients with organic disabilities, either dementia or severe mental retardation, where a lack of impulse control and preexisting eye irritation or surgical operation may have contributed to the act. One patient was a recidivist. Two-thirds of the patients were confined at the time of the act. That self-mutilation may occur frequently in confined patients calls for active vigilance from caretakers; that it may recur calls for caution by the psychiatrist.

Uncontrolled pain following physical injury as the core-trauma in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric diagnostic category characterized by "the development of characteristic symptoms following a psychologically traumatic event that is generally outside the range of usual human experience". Research shows that the prevalence of PTSD among injured survivors of stressful events is higher than that of survivors without physical injury, thus suggesting that secondary stressors (e.g., severe uncontrolled pain, a prolonged state of acute anxiety, uncertainty regarding the immediate future, loss of control, and inability to monitor contact with the environment) may play an important role in the formation of PTSD. However, pain has never been suggested or recognized as a direct cause of PTSD. We present the case of a patient who lost an eye under traumatic circumstances and was later diagnosed as suffering from PTSD. Upon evaluation in a psychophysiological laboratory, this patient's core-trauma was discovered to be 7 h of severe uncontrolled pain while waiting for surgery, rather than the moment when he lost his eye during military service. The case suggests that pain, although not "generally outside the range of usual human experience", may be a strong enough stressor in traumatic circumstances to cause the development of PTSD, thus highlighting the importance of prompt and adequate pain management in hospitalized survivors of traumatic injury.

Autoenucleación / Autoenucleation

Se presenta el caso clínico de autoenucleación unilateral, en un enfermo esquizofrénico, en un brote psicótico agudo. Son frecuentes las mutilaciones bilaterales por cuanto se propone la blefarorrafía del ojo contralateral en forma temporal mientras es dominado el brote psicótico. A los 4 meses de ocurrido el hecho, el otro ojo no mostraba alteraciones campimétricas ni visuales