Medically unexplained visual symptoms in children and adolescents: an indicator of abuse or adversity?

PURPOSE: To highlight abuse and adversity in childhood as an association of medically unexplained symptoms.

METHODS

Case series.

RESULTS

Two young adults and one child (all female) are described with medically unexplained impaired vision and diplopia, which on further investigation were found to be associated with abuse or adversity, and in one case was followed by the development of further unexplained symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Ophthalmologists dealing with children and young people need to ensure that child abuse and adversity are considered as potential underlying associations when dealing with patients with medically unexplained symptoms.