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Visual function in multiple personality disorder
1State College of Optometry, State University of New York, NY 10010, USA.
Journal of the American Optometric Association
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Multiple personality disorder (MPD), now known as dissociative identity disorder, involves distinct personality states with measurable physiological and visual differences. These variations highlight the intricate connection between mind and body.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Dissociative identity disorder (DID), formerly multiple personality disorder (MPD), is defined by the presence of multiple distinct personality states.
- Reports suggest physiological variations, including ocular and visual function, exist between these alter states in DID patients.
Observation:
- A literature review and a 3-year case study examined physiological and ocular differences in DID.
- Variations were noted in handedness, medication response, allergies, autonomic and endocrine function, EEG, VEP, and cerebral blood flow.
Findings:
- Significant differences in visual acuity, refraction, oculomotor function, visual fields, color vision, corneal curvature, pupil size, and intraocular pressure were observed across DID personality states.
- These ocular and physiological variations in DID patients were compared to controls with single personality states.
Implications:
- Unusual variability in ocular and visual findings, especially with a psychiatric history, warrants consideration of DID.
- Physiological and visual differences across DID alter states offer unique opportunities to study mind-body interactions.