M Detry-Morel1, R Philippart, A Boschi, A Luts. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, St. Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe an obsessive-compulsive patient who developed blindness after self-inflicted repetitive optic nerve injury. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A myopic 46-year-old male became blind as a result of intermittent rubbing of his eyes, causing stretching of the optic nerves. Extensive ocular, neurologic and systemic work-ups were negative. Cerebral and orbital MR studies showed severe bilateral optic nerve atrophy. Psychiatric evaluation confirmed obsessive-compulsive personality. CONCLUSIONS: Self-inflicted optic nerve injury should be included in the differential diagnosis of progressive optic neuropathy in a young adult.
PURPOSE: To describe an obsessive-compulsivepatient who developed blindness after self-inflicted repetitive optic nerve injury. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A myopic 46-year-old male became blind as a result of intermittent rubbing of his eyes, causing stretching of the optic nerves. Extensive ocular, neurologic and systemic work-ups were negative. Cerebral and orbital MR studies showed severe bilateral optic nerve atrophy. Psychiatric evaluation confirmed obsessive-compulsive personality. CONCLUSIONS: Self-inflicted optic nerve injury should be included in the differential diagnosis of progressive optic neuropathy in a young adult.