Multimodal strategic approach in the clinical assessment of malingering – keeping an eye on truth!!!

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate patients who present with ophthalmic problems with no discernible organic cause and detect malingering in such cases. Materials and Methods: 175 patients reporting to the Ophthalmology outpatient department from January 2017 to January 2018 were included. Patients were examined by various tests in order to document the proof for the reported visual loss. Objective prism tests, Special test cards, Visually evoked potential, Electroretinogram, Visual field analysis, various non visual tasks, Stereopsis testing ,Refraction and behavior of the patient with the clinician were assessed. Data collected and analysed with descriptive statistics. Results: In 175 patients examined, 92 patients (52.6%) were proved to be malingering by above mentioned tests which is statistically significant. Conclusion: Ocular malingering should be suspected when even with the most thorough ocular examination does not reveal a plausible cause for the reported visual loss and exposes the deception behind claims of visual loss in malingerers.