[Nonorganic disorders in ophthalmology: overview of diagnosis and therapy].
BACKGROUND
Nonorganic diseases may be psychogenic (somatoform diseases) or due to malingering. Both occur frequently in the ophthalmologic practice.


METHODS
This article reviews the different diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in nonorganic ocular diseases.


RESULTS
After presenting the general symptoms, the origins of psychogenic diseases are discussed. Then, the specific tests used in ophthalmology to diagnose nonorganic diseases and the organic eye diseases most frequently confused with nonorganic diseases will be reported. At the end, we will discuss the treatment and the prognosis of psychogenic diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
An early diagnosis of nonorganic diseases is important, since a delayed diagnosis may worsen their prognosis.
Mojon
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Abteilung für Strabologie und Neuroophthalmologie, Kantonsspital, St. Gallen, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007 St. Gallen. daniel.mojon@kssg.ch
Schläpfer
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D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*