Psychosomatic Medicine 9:110-117 (1947)
© 1947 American Psychosomatic Society

Central Angiospastic Retinopathy

A Psychosomatic Study of its Occurrence in Military Personnel

¹ Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of California Medical School

Macular disturbances of vision have been noted with increasing prevalence among young adult military personnel, otherwise free of disease. Early reports and recent investigations relating to the etiology of this condition are reviewed and experimental evidence of previous workers demonstrating the angiospastic basis for this form of retinopathy is cited. Spasm of retinal arterioles represents focal manifestations of an existing peripheral vasospastic state and the condition is nosologically comparable to many other forms of peripheral vasoneuropathy which appear in situations of emotional stress. Illustrative cases of Marines recently returned from combat are presented as psychosomatic studies. An acute anxiety state engendered by the military situation, usually combat, was found to be a common factor in each case and the psychophysiological mechanism of anxiety (or fear) in producing this form of ocular disturbance is discussed. The importance of emotional and "personality type" factors in the evaluation and treatment of this, as well as other forms of similarly induced vasoneuropathic states, are emphasized and a nosological reorientation to the approach and management of this ophthalmological condition is put forth.

Note:

Presented at the Annual Meeting of The American Society for Research in Psychosomatic Problems, Inc., New York, May 11, 1946.

This paper has been released by the Division of Publications of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The opinions and views set forth are those of the author and do not reflect the policies of the Navy Department.

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