Colour Vision Disorder due to Conversion Disorders in Childhood

Abstract

Background Non-organic vision loss can manifest in various ways, most commonly in the form of reduced vision and visual field defects. Colour vision disorders in the context of a conversion disorder have only rarely been reported.

Materials and Methods This review presents the case of a 9-year-old boy with a colour vision disorder as the isolated symptom of a conversion disorder. The challenging in this case was an additional somatic comorbidity – a congenital red-green deficiency. Consequently it was difficult to make a diagnosis and to convince the parents.

Conclusion It is important to rule out organic causes and establish the diagnosis of a conversion disorder. In these cases, multidisciplinary treatment is crucial for a successful outcome. The diagnosis may be especially challenging when the patients have both somatic and psychogenic complaints.

Key words

colour vision disorder - functional visual disorder - conversion syndrome

Publication History

Received: 17 August 2021

Accepted: 06 September 2021

Article published online:
18 October 2021

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