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Self-inflicted repetitive optic nerve injury: a case report
M Detry-Morel1, R Philippart, A Boschi
1Department of Ophthalmology, St. Luc University Hospital, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|December 12, 2002
Summary
A case report details a 46-year-old male with obsessive-compulsive personality who became blind due to self-inflicted optic nerve injury from repetitive eye rubbing. This highlights a rare cause of optic neuropathy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) can manifest in unusual ways.
- Self-inflicted injuries are a recognized, though uncommon, manifestation of psychiatric conditions.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old male with myopia and OCPD presented with progressive vision loss.
- The patient reported intermittent rubbing of his eyes.
- Ocular, neurological, and systemic examinations were unremarkable, ruling out common causes of optic neuropathy.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed severe bilateral optic nerve atrophy.
- The patient's blindness was attributed to repetitive mechanical stretching and injury to the optic nerves caused by eye rubbing.
- Psychiatric evaluation confirmed underlying obsessive-compulsive personality traits.
Implications:
- Self-inflicted optic nerve injury is a critical, albeit rare, differential diagnosis for progressive optic neuropathy in young adults.
- Ophthalmologists and neurologists should consider psychiatric evaluation in cases of unexplained optic nerve damage.
- Understanding the link between psychiatric conditions and self-harm is crucial for comprehensive patient care.