The "sunglasses sign" predicts nonorganic visual loss in neuro-ophthalmologic practice

How do I manage functional visual loss

Functional visual loss is a subtype of functional neurological disorder (FND) and is a common cause of visual impairment seen in both general and neuro-ophthalmological practice. Ophthalmologists can generally diagnose functional visual loss reasonably confidently but often find it harder to know what to say to the patient, how to approach, or even whether to attempt, treatment. There is little evidence-based treatment despite studies showing up to 60% of adults having impactful symptoms on long-term follow-up. The last 20 years has seen large changes in how we understand, approach, and manage FND more widely. In this article, we set out our practical approach to managing functional visual loss which includes : 1) Make a positive diagnosis based on investigations that demonstrate normal vision in the presence of subjectively impaired vision, not just because tests or ocular exam is normal; 2) Explain and label the condition with an emphasis on these positive diagnostic features, not reassurance; 3) Consider eye or brain comorbidities such as migraine, idiopathic intracranial hypertension or amblyopia; 4) Consider working with an orthoptist using diagnostic tests in a positive way to highlight the possibility of better vision; 5) Develop simple treatment strategies for photophobia; 6) Consider psychological factors and comorbidity as part of assessment and therapy, but keep a broader view of aetiology and don't use this to make a diagnosis; 7) Other treatment modalities including hypnotherapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation and more advanced forms of visual feedback are promising candidates for functional visual loss treatment in the future.

Functional vision disorder: a review of diagnosis, management and costs

Functional vision disorder (FVD) is a relatively common diagnosis in ophthalmic practice which can be difficult to make because of clinician's apprehension to miss organic pathology. We review the diagnostic approach to patients with FVD, organic mimics of FVD, its diagnostic and management strategies and associated cost burden. Patients with FVD typically present with visual acuity and/or field loss. Diagnostic work-up should include patient observation, detailed history, pupillary examination, dilated ophthalmoscopy, visual field testing and ganglion cell analysis of the macular complex. Most common organic mimickers of FVD are amblyopia, cortical blindness, retrobulbar optic neuritis, cone dystrophy and chiasmal tumours; however, all could be ruled out by structured diagnostic approach. For patients with unilateral visual loss, bottom-up refraction, fogging of the well-seeing eye in the phoropter, convex lens and base-down prism tests could aid in diagnosis. For patients claiming binocular vision loss, checking for eye movement during the mirror test or nystagmus elicited by an optokinetic drum can be helpful. Effective management of FVD involves reassurance, stress reduction and, if agreed on, management of comorbid anxiety and/or depression. The social cost of FVD is predominately economic as patients typically meet several healthcare providers over multiple visits and often undergo several neuroimaging studies before neuro-ophthalmology referral. Further, inappropriate granting of disability benefits confers additional stigma to patients with organic vision loss.

Functional vision disorders in adults: a paradigm and nomenclature shift for ophthalmology

Vision loss with clinical findings that are incompatible with the symptoms and recognized neurological or ophthalmic conditions is a common presentation of patients to neurologists, ophthalmologists, and neuro-ophthalmologists. The accepted terminology to describe such patients has evolved over time, including functional visual disorder (FVD), non-organic vision loss, non-physiologic vision loss, functional vision loss, psychogenic, psychosomatic, and medically unexplained visual loss. Likewise, attitudes and recommended management options have changed over the years in the fields of psychiatry and neurology. FVD is a diagnosis of inclusion, and it is critical that the diagnosis be made and delivered efficiently and effectively to reduce patient and physician duress. We review the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V) terminology and the prior literature on FVD and describe how the approaches to diagnosis and management have changed. We provide recommendations on the appropriate techniques and diagnostic approach for patients with FVD. We also propose a protocol for consistent and standardized discussion with the patient of the diagnosis of FVD. We believe that the adoption of FVD as both a paradigm and nomenclature shift in ophthalmology will improve patient care.

"Don't know" sign: description and evaluation of its diagnostic accuracy for cognitive impairment

OBJECTIVES

Patients in neurology clinics are sometimes not aware of the reason for the consultation, and we have called this circumstance the "Don't know" sign (DKS). Our objective was to define this new sign and its modalities and to evaluate its prevalence and its diagnostic accuracy for cognitive impairment (CI) in comparison to other observation-based signs.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A cross-sectional prospective study included all new outpatients evaluated by the authors at neurology consultation.

MEASUREMENTS

We recorded observation-based signs. The Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) was used to assess the cognitive status of patients, based on clinical history, caregiver interview, and cognitive test results. We analyzed the prevalence and the diagnostic accuracy for CI of DKS, "head turning sign," "attending with," verbal repetition, and combinations, calculating sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).

RESULTS

We enrolled 673 consecutive patients (62% female) with a mean ± SD age of 59.3 ± 20.2 years. DKS was positive in 94 patients (14%) and was strongly associated with GDS score. DKS had a Se of 0.41, Sp of 0.98, PPV of 0.89, and NPV of 0.79 for CI diagnosis. The presence of at least two positive observation signs yielded a Se of 0.50, Sp of 0.97, PPV of 0.86, and NPV of 0.81.

CONCLUSIONS

DKS is frequently observed in neurology outpatients. It has low sensitivity but high specificity and PPV for CI diagnosis. It does not require additional consultation time, and its use can be recommended in combination with other observation-based signs.

Should "Retro-ocular Pain, Photophobia and Visual Acuity Loss" Be Recognised as a Distinct Entity? The ROPPVAL Syndrome

Unilateral retro-ocular pain, photophobia and visual disturbance in patients suspected as having acute optic neuritis was described as a distinct clinical entity by Jefferis et al. in 2018. We hereby report a further four patients with the same clinical phenotype and propose the term ROPPVAL syndrome (Retro-Ocular Pain, Photophobia and Visual Acuity Loss). All of them had a previous (mis)diagnosis of optic neuritis. All of the patients had normal ocular and neurological examinations, no relative afferent pupillary defect and no objective structural abnormality was identified. We also discuss possible mechanisms, the role of cycloplegics that we found to be useful in reducing symptoms, and the importance of distinguishing this syndrome from optic neuritis.

Revising a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder—a case report

We report a case of a 62-year-old female diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND), where the diagnosis was eventually revised to progressive supranuclear palsy 3 years after symptom onset. FND is a commonly encountered condition and can be diagnosed with a considerable degree of confidence in most cases. FND is associated with significant functional impairment and may occur alongside other neurological disorders, and there is now a growing evidence base for symptom-specific FND treatments. Charting clinical progression of symptoms and serial neuroimaging were useful in refining the diagnosis in this case. Alhough the diagnosis was ultimately revised to a neurodegenerative disorder, a degree of functional overlay likely remained present. The case highlights the importance of recognizing and avoiding diagnostic overshadowing in those with FND.

The Waiting Room: neurological observations made outside the movement disorder specialist's consulting office

The neurological examination should always begin before the patient enters the doctor's office. Movement disorders in particular lend themselves to a spot diagnosis. In today's busy buzzing world, it seems wasteful not to make use of the various diagnostic clues that can be picked up readily while the patient is still in the waiting room. We present several illustrative examples, drawn from the literature and from our own experience. These are divided according to the different waiting room 'stages': the patient sitting in the waiting room, the response on being summoned to enter the consulting room-including rising from the chair, exchanging initial pleasantries and the way of walking. We also discuss the importance of paying attention to the patient's behaviour, clothing, posture, breathing patterns, facial expression and major gait abnormalities.

A Stereotyped Syndrome with Retro-Ocular Pain, Photophobia, and Visual Disturbance Masquerading as Optic Neuritis: Case Series

We describe here a case series of six patients referred to the Neuro-ophthalmology service in Sheffield, UK with possible acute unilateral optic neuritis. Each patient had a triad of unilateral photophobia, ipsilateral retro-ocular pain, and ipsilateral loss of vision. All patients had normal ocular examinations and investigation findings with no objective structural or functional abnormalities identified. Patients were treated by weaning-off regular analgesia and, where appropriate, commencing migraine prophylaxis. In the three patients with complete recovery of pain, there was also complete recovery of vision. We propose that this is a migraine syndrome and that the decreased visual acuity is a functional consequence of the pain and photophobia.

Sensory Sensitivity in TBI: Implications for Chronic Disability

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review investigates the relationship between sensory sensitivity and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the role sensory sensitivity plays in chronic disability.

RECENT FINDINGS

TBI is a significant cause of disability with a range of physical, cognitive, and mental health consequences. Sensory sensitivities (e.g., noise and light) are among the most frequently reported, yet least outwardly recognizable symptoms following TBI. Clinicians and scientists alike have yet to identify consistent nomenclature for defining noise and light sensitivity, making it difficult to accurately and reliably assess their influence. Noise and light sensitivity can profoundly affect critical aspects of independent function including communication, productivity, socialization, cognition, sleep, and mental health. Research examining the prevalence of sensory sensitivity and evidence for the association of sensory sensitivity with TBI is inconclusive. Evidence-based interventions for sensory sensitivity, particularly following TBI, are lacking.

Sensory sensitivity and posttraumatic stress disorder in blast exposed veterans with mild traumatic brain injury

The purpose of this study was to examine the unique contribution of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on sensory sensitivity following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in an Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veteran sample. We hypothesized that the effect of PTSD on noise and light sensitivity following mTBI would be largely driven by PTSD-related hyperarousal symptoms. We compared the relationships between PTSD, noise sensitivity, and light sensitivity of 49 OEF/OIF Veterans with mTBI to that of 23 OEF/OIF Veterans without mTBI. Results suggest that intrusive experiences were significantly related to noise sensitivity in the mTBI group, while light sensitivity was significantly associated with avoidance. Hyperarousal symptoms significantly accounted for noise sensitivity in the no-blast, non-TBI group, whereas PTSD did not affect light sensitivity in this group. These data suggest that PTSD symptoms may uniquely influence the experience of noise and light sensitivity. As such, treatment targeting specific PTSD symptoms may yield clinically significant improvement in sensory sensitivity.

Non-organic Vision Loss in the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts

Non-organic visual loss (NOVL), defined as a decrease in visual acuity or field without an identifiable organic cause, can be challenging to diagnose, especially in patients whose NOVL is superimposed on some component of true organic pathology. Exposure to combat puts soldiers at risk of emotional distress and physical trauma, which can contribute to the development of NOVL with conversion disorder or malingering. This case series describes six patients with NOVL who sustained ocular or non-ocular injuries while serving in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and highlights diagnostic pearls and components of inter-disciplinary management in the unique military context.

Functional and simulated visual loss

Nonorganic visual loss (NOVL) is the cause of a large number of referrals to neurologists and ophthalmologists and is a frequent area of overlap between neurologists, ophthalmologists, and psychiatrists. NOVL is the presence of visual impairment without an organic cause for disease despite a thorough and comprehensive investigation. A diagnosis of NOVL requires both the absence of any findings on examination and proof of the integrity and functioning of the visual system. Although sometimes a challenging diagnosis to make, there are a number of techniques and maneuvers which can be utilized fairly easily, either at the bedside or in the clinic, to help determine if a patient has NOVL. In some instances specialized testing, such as formal visual field testing, optical coherence tomography, visual evoked responses, electroretinogram, and various imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging) are performed to help determine if the cause of visual loss is organic or nonorganic. Once a diagnosis of NOVL is made, treatment centers around reassurance of the patient, close follow-up, and, if necessary, referral to a psychiatrist, as these patients may have underlying psychiatric disorders and a preceding strong emotional event leading to the current symptoms, and may be more likely to develop depression and anxiety.

Sensory sensitivity in operation enduring freedom/operation Iraqi freedom veterans with and without blast exposure and mild traumatic brain injury

To examine factors associated with noise and light sensitivity among returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans with a self-reported history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) due to blast exposure, we compared the self-report of noise and light sensitivity of 42 OEF/OIF Veterans diagnosed with mTBI resulting from combat blast-exposure to that of 36 blast-exposed OEF/OIF Veterans without a history of mTBI. Results suggest a statistically significant difference between Veterans with and without a history of mTBI in the experience of noise and light sensitivity, with sensory symptoms reported most frequently in the mTBI group. The difference remains significant even after controlling for symptoms of PTSD, depression, and somatization. These data suggest that while psychological distress is significantly associated with the complaints of noise and light sensitivity, it may not fully account for the experience of sensory sensitivity in a population with mTBI history.

Clinical utility of the list sign as a predictor of non-demyelinating disorders in a multiple sclerosis (MS) practice

OBJECTIVES

Not all patients referred for evaluation of multiple sclerosis (MS) meet criteria required for MS or related entities. Identification of markers to exclude demyelinating disease may help detect patients whose presenting symptoms are inconsistent with MS. In this study, we evaluate whether patients who present a self-prepared list of symptoms during an initial visit are less likely to have demyelinating disease and whether this action, which we term the "list sign," may help exclude demyelinating disease.

METHODS

Using chart review, 300 consecutive new patients who presented for evaluation to a neurologist at a tertiary MS referral center were identified retrospectively. Patients were defined as having demyelinating disease if diagnosed with MS or a related demyelinating condition.

RESULTS

Of the 233 enrolled subjects, 157 were diagnosed with demyelinating disease and 74 did not meet criteria for demyelinating disease. Fifteen (8.4%) subjects had a positive list sign, of which 1 patient had demyelinating disease. The 15 subjects described a mean of 12.07 symptoms, and 8 of these patients met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for somatic symptom disorder. The specificity and positive predictive value of the list sign for non-demyelinating disease were 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-0.99) and 0.93 (95% CI 0.66-0.99), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A positive list sign may be useful to exclude demyelinating disease and to guide diagnostic evaluations for other conditions. Patients with a positive list sign also have a high incidence of somatic symptom disorder.

Central sensitization syndrome and the initial evaluation of a patient with fibromyalgia: a review

In both primary care and consultative practices, patients presenting with fibromyalgia (FM) often have other medically unexplained somatic symptoms and are ultimately diagnosed as having central sensitization (CS). Central sensitization encompasses many disorders where the central nervous system amplifies sensory input across many organ systems and results in myriad symptoms. A pragmatic approach to evaluate FM and related symptoms, including a focused review of medical records, interviewing techniques, and observations, is offered here, giving valuable tools for identifying and addressing the most relevant symptoms. At the time of the clinical evaluation, early consideration of CS may improve the efficiency of the visit, reduce excessive testing, and help in discerning between typical and atypical cases so as to avoid an inaccurate diagnosis. Discussion of pain and neurophysiology and sensitization often proves helpful.

Shedding light on photophobia

Photophobia is a common yet debilitating symptom seen in many ophthalmic and neurologic disorders. Despite its prevalence, it is poorly understood and difficult to treat. However, the past few years have seen significant advances in our understanding of this symptom. We review the clinical characteristics and disorders associated with photophobia, discuss the anatomy and physiology of this phenomenon, and conclude with a practical approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Functional neuro-ophthalmology

Patients with physical signs and symptoms for which no adequate organic cause can be found may receive any one of a large range of diagnostic labels, including functional illness, functional overlay, hysteria, hysterical overlay, conversion reaction, psychophysiological reaction, somatization reaction, hypochondriasis, invalid reaction, neurasthenia, psychogenic reaction, psychosomatic illness, malingering, and Münchausen syndrome. In this chapter, we describe both common and uncommon "functional" ocular symptoms and signs, including visual loss in one or both eyes, constricted visual fields and other field defects, various types of ocular motor dysfunction, including disorders of ocular motility and alignment, disorders of pupillary size and reactivity, and abnormalities of eyelid position and function. We also discuss and illustrate the methods by which the nonorganic nature of these manifestations can be determined. In many cases simple techniques performed in the clinic are sufficient to establish a diagnosis of nonorganic ocular disease, whereas in other cases ancillary studies such as electrophysiological testing may be necessary. The chapter also describes the appropriate approach that the physician should take when dealing with a patient who has proven functional ocular signs and symptoms.

Functional visual loss

Neurologists frequently evaluate patients complaining of vision loss, especially when the patient has been examined by an ophthalmologist who has found no ocular disease. A significant proportion of patients presenting to the neurologist with visual complaints have nonorganic or functional visual loss. Although there are examination techniques that can aid in the detection and diagnosis of functional visual loss, the frequency with which functional visual loss occurs concomitantly with organic disease warrants substantial caution on the part of the clinician. Furthermore, purely functional visual loss is never a diagnosis of exclusion and must be supported by positive findings on examinations that demonstrate normal visual function. The relationship of true psychological disease and functional visual loss is unclear, and most patients respond well to simple reassurance.

[Elevated serum aldolase activity in a patient of non-eosinophilic myofasciitis and synovitis with perifascicular atrophy]

A 35-year-old man suffered from myalgia and joint pain on walking for 5 months. Physical and neurological examinations revealed dermal sclerosis, skin swelling, redness of forearms, Raynaud's phenomenon, joint pain, myalgia and muscle weakness. Eosinophilia was not found and serum creatine kinase activity was normal, while aldolase was markedly elevated. Abnormal signals suggesting synovitis and myofasciitis were found on MRI images. Biopsy of the fascia of quadriceps femoris showed perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration. A muscle biopsy showed mononuclear cell infiltration mainly in the perimysium extending to the endmysium. Eosinophilic cells were not found, Perifascicular atrophy was observed. Corticosteroid therapy improved clinical symptoms and serum aldolase level. We diagnosed him as non-eosinophilic myofasciitis and synovitis with perifascicular atrophy. The serum aldolase activity is usuful for diagnosis and for monitoring the disease activity.

Medically unexplained visual loss in adult patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we discuss the investigation and management of patients with visual loss that cannot be accounted for by organic pathology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Because visual loss in these patients often has a psychosocial basis, we do not like the term 'medically unexplained visual loss' as a diagnostic label. 'Unexplained visual loss' is a useful working diagnosis until occult pathology is excluded and a positive diagnosis of functional visual loss (FVL) can be established. Recent literature highlights the utility and limitations of visually evoked potentials in estimating objective visual acuity. Multifocal electroretinography and ocular coherence tomography are invaluable in revealing occult macular pathology that may not be apparent to clinical examination and full-field electroretinography testing. Cortical visual loss can be mistaken for FVL. There is still no evidence base to guide our management of patients with FVL. However, useful insights can be gained from the literature on functional symptoms in other specialties.

SUMMARY

Making the diagnosis of FVL demands vigilance but is important to do. It should mark not just the end of investigation, but the start of treatment. More research is needed to see if treatments used in other functional disorders work in FVL.