Characteristics of 110 Patients With Functional Visual Loss

Functional visual loss (FVL) is characterized by complaints of visual impairment without evidence of an organic cause. Physicians are often reluctant to diagnose FVL; thus, little is known about health care utilization in patients with FVL.

Retrospective case series.

A total of 110 patients seen at 2 university-affiliated neuro-ophthalmology practices who were diagnosed with FVL were included. Medical records were evaluated, and data were collected on demographics, clinical presentation, ophthalmologic examination, neuroimaging, ancillary tests, and other health care provider visits and treatments.

More than 70% of patients with FVL were women with a mean age of 37 ± 15 years. The presenting complaint in 71.8% (79/110) of participants was decreased vision, which was bilateral in >50% of cases. Close to half (53/110) endorsed at least 1 coexisting psychiatric or neurologic diagnosis. The mean number of different medical specialists seen before neuro-ophthalmic consultation was 3.7 ± 2.6, and the average number of health care visits was 4.6 ± 4.4. Each patient had 2.2 ± 1.8 neuroimaging studies performed. Fifteen percent of patients underwent unnecessary treatments, including receiving steroids, visual therapy, and prisms.

Patients with FVL typically see at least 3 different health care providers across 4 different visits and undergo at least 2 neuroimaging studies before having neuro-ophthalmic consultation. To avoid this undue burden on patients and the health care system, clinicians should refer patients with suspected FVL to a neuro-ophthalmologist to confirm the diagnosis of FVL and appropriately counsel the patient.