Amal, 47, arrived distraught. He claimed he couldn’t see from his left eye for three days. But when tested, he navigated the room with ease, and his fundus was unremarkable. No afferent pupillary defect.

I suspected non-organic vision loss and referred him for psychiatric evaluation. A conversion disorder was diagnosed, triggered by the recent loss of his job.

Counseling and therapy restored not just his vision—but his dignity.

The Lesson Learned

Not all vision loss is ocular—consider the mind behind the eye. Compassion and a calm approach are powerful tools in uncertain cases.

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