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Posttraumatic cortical blindness: are we missing the diagnosis in children?
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Primary Children's Medical Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84113.
Insights
Post-head trauma anxiety may stem from cortical blindness, a condition diagnosed after mild or severe injuries. Early identification of this visual impairment can reduce patient and parental distress.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Head trauma, ranging from mild to severe, can precipitate various neurological and psychological sequelae.
- Anxiety and agitation are common, yet often unexplained, symptoms in patients recovering from head injuries.
- Cortical blindness, a specific visual deficit, is a potential, underrecognized cause of distress post-trauma.
Observation:
- This study presents two cases of posttraumatic cortical blindness.
- The cases illustrate the signs and symptoms associated with this condition.
- The presentation, diagnostic approaches, and outcomes of these patients are detailed.
Findings:
- Cortical blindness can occur following both mild and severe head trauma.
- Early recognition of posttraumatic cortical blindness is crucial for effective management.
- Understanding this syndrome can significantly alleviate anxiety in patients and their families.
Implications:
- Implementing screening protocols for visual disturbances post-head trauma is recommended.
- Enhanced awareness among clinicians can improve diagnostic accuracy for unexplained agitation.
- Timely diagnosis and management of cortical blindness can lead to better patient outcomes and reduced psychological distress.
Abstract:
A potential etiology of anxiety and agitation in the posthead trauma patient is cortical blindness. Cortical blindness can be seen after both mild and severe head trauma. Early recognition and understanding of this syndrome can lead to a decreased anxiety level, not only for the patient, but for the parents as well. Two cases of posttraumatic cortical blindness are presented. The signs and symptoms of cortical blindness, its presentation, diagnosis, and outcome are discussed. The available literature is reviewed and discussed.