Dysmorphopsia

Dysmorphopsia is a type of visual distortion that affects the perception of the size, shape, color, or orientation of visual objects. It is often associated with conditions affecting the eye or brain, such as migraine, macular degeneration, or stroke.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of dysmorphopsia is a distorted perception of visual objects. This can manifest in several ways:

• Micropsia: Objects appear smaller than they actually are.
• Macropsia: Objects appear larger than they actually are.
• Metamorphopsia: Objects appear distorted or warped.
• Aniseikonia: The perceived size of an object differs between the two eyes.
• Chromatopsia: Objects appear to be an abnormal color.

Causes

Dysmorphopsia can be caused by a variety of conditions affecting the eye or brain. These include:

• Migraine: Some people experience visual distortions, including dysmorphopsia, before or during a migraine attack.
• Macular degeneration: This condition, which causes damage to the central part of the retina, can lead to dysmorphopsia.
• Stroke: A stroke can damage the brain's visual processing areas, leading to dysmorphopsia.
• Retinal detachment: If the retina detaches from the back of the eye, it can cause visual distortions.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of dysmorphopsia typically involves a thorough eye examination, including tests of visual acuity and visual field. Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scan, may be used to rule out brain abnormalities.

Treatment

Treatment for dysmorphopsia depends on the underlying cause. For example, migraines may be treated with medication, while macular degeneration may require laser therapy or injections into the eye. In some cases, special glasses or contact lenses may be used to correct the visual distortion.

See also

• Visual perception
• Visual field
• Visual acuity