During the ๐งป rush era of lockdown, while working at the brilliant #FND service @uclh, an #ophthalmologist ๐ (I happen to be married to) asked what services exist for all the patients with functional visual symptoms she saw?
Check out our paper: rdcu.be/czlbS
1/7
We surveyed 119 ophthalmologists nationally and asked about their experience, understanding and management of functional visual symptoms (FVS). 2/7
Disclaimer - I hadnโt seen FVS, thought it was rare, but it seems so did the rest of psych & neuro. Small case series had been published.
All the while ophth ๐ has been seeing FVS regularly. An estimated 5%-12% of cases in the busiest outpatient specialty in the UK. 3/7
Respondents estimated 3% of new patients had FVS & a 1/3rd presented with severe disability/impairment.
A broad spectrum of FVS were also reported, not just the tubular visual field defect seen in the ๐. 4/7
Only half of ophthalmologists felt comfortable discussing a diagnosis and 2/3rds felt they had inadequate training in this area. Free text comments highlighted a lack of time & space in clinic, and unclear/non-existent care pathways for patients. 5/7
So what happens to these patients?
Enduring symptoms were reported in 1/3rd of patients. Recovery rates in other papers are as low as 25%. Most are followed up in clinic (briefly) or discharged to GP.
Can they drive? Or be registered blind? Respondents were torn ๐คทโโ๏ธ. 6/7
I worry many patients with FVS fall through the cracks. ๐ pathways are needed. But given how common functional disorders, surely we need cross-specialty services offering the participatory, rehabilitative practice so eloquently described here: 7/7 bit.ly/3muDyzf
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