Introduction

Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) remain a frequent cause of presentation to health services.1 MUS often elaborate symptoms clearly attributable to physical pathology,2 but are often also a manifestation of psychological distress (termed dissociative or Conversion disorders if short lived, and Somatoform disorders if persistent). Patients with MUS are frequently subjected to inappropriate investigations and treatments, which consume significant healthcare resources. The clear link between childhood abuse, neglect and adversity, and presentation in adult life with MUS3 has proved more difficult to show in children.4 There is only one recent review of MUS in adults presenting with visual disorders,2 and no recent literature describing the characteristics of medically unexplained visual symptoms in children and young adults. In this paper, we present the cases of a child and two young adults with medically unexplained visual symptoms. In all the three cases, there were significant adverse psychosocial factors, and in one case there was a disclosure of physical abuse.

Case 1

A 17-year-old girl, with a history of four previous surgical procedures for infantile esotropia, presented with increasingly frequent episodes of vertical diplopia, which was treated with monocular occlusion by her optometrist. This was followed by progressive bilateral loss of visual acuity, causing difficulty while navigating and reading. Assessment of visual acuity was difficult due to photophobia, and variable results were obtained. Apart from a small residual convergent strabismus, ophthalmic examination, and, subsequently, neurological evaluation was normal. Psychiatric evaluation was suggested, but was declined. A history of stressful family relationships (a brother with autism and recent parental divorce) was elicited from the family doctor.

Case 2

A seventeen-year-old girl presented with an inconsistent 2-year history of intermittent blurring of vision and diplopia. Initial examination had shown a marked convergent strabismus and reduced visual acuity (6/36 right; 6/60 left). Despite correction of a small refractive error, acuity remained reduced at 6/18 in each eye, and intermittent diplopia persisted. MR imaging of brain and orbits was normal. Further questioning revealed little evidence of functional disability at home due to reduced acuity, and performance at school had not deteriorated. Stereoacuity was measured as 120 s of arc. A psychological basis for the symptoms was suggested to the family. Nine months later, the patient presented with a suspected functional neurological disorder with the feet held in equinus, necessitating the use of a wheelchair. A psychiatric evaluation revealed a history of panic and anxiety in stressful situations and a referral was made to clinical psychology services.

Case 3

A 10-year-old girl presented with a 4-months history of transient horizontal diplopia with headaches. Shortly before presentation, her visual acuity had deteriorated to 6/12 right and 6/18 left. Apart from a small latent convergent strabismus, no abnormality was found on ophthalmic examination. Subsequent enquiry revealed a history of nocturnal episodes of screaming associated with a normal EEG. A disclosure of physical abuse was subsequently made.

Discussion

MUS may be manifestations of a physical diagnosis, which has not yet been made, of an underlying psychological disorder (including Munchausen syndrome), of deliberate fabrication (malingering), or may have no identifiable association. Medically unexplained visual symptoms in adults are well described.2

In children (and adults), MUS may be associated with childhood adversity, neglect and abuse, particularly sexual abuse5 as in one of our cases. It is for this reason that it is particularly important that MUS are positively identified so that causes of the underlying psychological distress can be considered.

The management of somatisation is difficult. Sufferers are often resistant to the suggestion that their symptoms may have a psychological basis. Cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressants may be helpful.6

The presentation of Somatoform disorders in paediatric ophthalmology is often dramatic, generating much anxiety. We recommend that clinicians dealing with children with MUS are aware that somatoform disorders can be the cause, and explore the child's social circumstances and initiate appropriate referral if there are concerns about abuse.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.