Functional Visual Loss Associated with Trauma and Athletic Club Membership in High School

Abstract

We reported five cases (three boys and two girls, age range 13–17) with functional visual loss. All belonged to athletic clubs, such as soccer club, in high school, and sustained trauma during sports practice. Unilateral visual loss was common (4 out of 5 cases), and visual acuities decreased markedly to less than 20/60. Various complaints, such as visual field loss or orbital pain, were associated with the decrease in visual acuity. Two boys recovered within a few months, while two girls needed more than 21 months for recovery. Excessive sports training can be a burden on students and lead to functional visual loss in association with trauma.

KEYWORDS:

• Functional visual loss
• sports
• high school students
• trauma