Munchausen syndrome presenting as recurrent ocular infection in a child

Abstract

A 11-year-old immunocompetent boy presented with a painful loss of vision due to panophthalmitis in the left eye. The eviscerated specimen showed invasive mucormycosis, for which he was treated with topical and systemic antifungals. The child presented later with recurrent episodes of redness in the right eye. During hospitalization, we found that the eye drop vials were perpetually contaminated with an acidic agent. Based on a detailed review of history and examination, a factitious disorder was suspected and confirmed by a psychiatric evaluation.