Psychosomatic aspects of ophthalmology

ABSTRACT

I have not mentioned hysterical blindness, or malingering, which has definite psychosomatic tice-ups, because they are well covered in our textbooks. I have discussed the less obvious but more frequent psychosomatic aspects of ophthalmologic practice in this country. I think that ophthalmologists should at least know how to spot a psychosomatic patient; and if he has the time, he should develop an inclination and sufficient knowledge to handle them, before referring him to a psychiatristWith all the interest we can develop in, and all the information we can gather about, psychosomatic medicine, we must follow up our patients if we are to gain in knowledge of this aspect of ophthalmology. (Conclusions)