Acute loss of vision in a young woman: a case report on psychogenic blindness.
BACKGROUND
Acute loss of vision needs urgent attention and treatment. We report on a young Ethiopian woman who experienced acute bilateral blindness. In the presence of normal ophthalmological findings psychogenic blindness has to be considered.


METHODS
A 21 years old woman was admitted to the psychiatry clinic at Jimma University specialized Hospital, Jimma, South West Ethiopia. She had not been able to see for a few days. Ophthalmological and neurological examinations showed normal findings. No severe psychopathology was found. Stressful life events had preceded the appearance of the symptoms. An attitude of accepting the perspective of the patient of a seemingly organic disease is a precondition for a successful intervention. Treatment aimed at a gradual return to normal functioning. The patient regained her sight and fully recovered. The final psychiatric diagnosis was psychogenic blindness.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychosocial intervention was successful and encouraging for the patient and clinicians.
Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University, Ethiopia.
S
S
Mulugeta
Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University, Ethiopia.
K
K
Tesfay
Global Mental Health Group, Center International Health, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munch Germany.
R
R
Frank
Global Mental Health Group, Center International Health, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munch Germany.
C
C
Gruber-Frank
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult
acute loss of vision; conversion disorder; international cooperation; low-income country; psychosocial intervention