Functional vision loss.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Functional disorders are a major category of vision loss not uncommonly presenting to an ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist. There are constant advances in the discrimination of causes for functional vision loss, as well as testing and treatment of these patients. RECENT
FINDINGS: New tests for diagnosing functional vision loss have been reported. These include techniques for evaluating both decreased visual acuity and visual field loss, allowing the physician to objectively state if a patient's vision is better than what he is claiming. Newer imaging modalities such as functional MRI suggest that certain areas of the brain show impaired modulation in persons with conversion disorder. There are few clinical trials for the treatment of persons with functional vision loss, and therefore no conclusive treatment recommendations.
SUMMARY: This article discusses the recent advances regarding functional vision loss relevant to the ophthalmologist.