Nonorganic visual loss in a child due to school bullying

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of a child with nonorganic visual loss due to school bullying. Observations: An eight-year-old boy presented with bilateral painless vision loss for a few days. His best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/200 in the right eye and 20/140 in the left eye. Color vision was normal. Fundoscopy, visual fields, electroretinography, electrooculography and visual evoked potentials were within normal limits. A nonorganic (psychogenic) cause of visual loss was suspected. A conversation with his parents and school teachers revealed that he was undergoing intense school bullying. Discussion between the boy and his parents and teachers' awareness helped in relieving the boy's stress. After two weeks BCVA was 20/20 bilaterally. Conclusions and importance: School bullying is a potential cause of nonorganic vision loss in children. Correct diagnosis, and support by the parents and teachers might rapidly alleviate the symptoms.