Optic nerve massaging: an extremely rare cause of self-inflicted blindness

PURPOSE: To report a patient whose self-inflicted blindness was not clinically apparent by history or external signs of trauma. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 12-year-old girl with a history of social and behavioral problems was noted to have visual loss in her right eye. Examination revealed no light perception, optic nerve atrophy, partial upper lid ptosis, exotropia, and hypoesthesia of the cheek, all on her right side. RESULTS: After undergoing extensive examinations which were unrevealing for a diagnosis, the patient admitted to a recurrent maneuver, which she secretly used to relieve anxiety and stress. This maneuver consisted of inserting her index finger under the right supraorbital rim and forcibly subluxating her globe out of the orbital space. CONCLUSIONS: Self-inflicted visual loss can occur in nonpsychotic and nonviolent patients. Accurate diagnosis is important, as there is a risk of similar involvement to the fellow eye, and referral for psychiatric counseling is mandatory.