title: Nonorganic visual loss and associated psychopathology in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the frequency of nonorganic visual loss (NOVL) and associated psychopathology in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 973 children were examined in our ophthalmology practice between 2006 and 2009. Basic ophthalmologic exploration (visual acuity, stereopsis, cycloplegic refraction, ocular motility, pupil dynamics, biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy) and specific tests for NOVL diagnosis were performed (confusion with lenses test, mirrors test, Roth test, Bravais test). We also investigated the psychosocial situation and associated psychiatric problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty children were diagnosed with NOVL. The mean age of the children was 8.93 years (± 2.61); 70% were girls. September was the commonest month of presentation (26.7%) and unilateral (3.3%) or bilateral (80%) visual loss was the most frequent symptom (83.3% in total). In 20% of cases we detected psychosocial anomaly and 40% were seeking to wear glasses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Malingering in children is very frequent. We can make the diagnosis with simple tests. It is not necessary to perform imaging and electrophysiologic testing, thus avoiding unnecessary examinations as well as absenteeism from work for parents and health care costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-ophthalmology, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Carlos, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. ammh.humanes@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Hernández
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santos-Bueso
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sáenz-Francés
authors.forename: Carmen D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Méndez-Hernández
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Feijoó
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gegúndez-Fernández
authors.forename: Julián
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008306:Malingering / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011584:Psychology; D011599:Psychopathology; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology