Psychoanalysis and Eye Disturbances

It is easy to comprehend that there is a difference between what ophthalmologists designate as true myopia (irreversible) and pseudomyopia (still reversible), but it is not easy to make such a diagnosis as to when one develops from the other.

True myopia is an anomaly of the shape of the eyeball; this physical peculiarity is a condition present in every case of myopia. This physical defect is there and remains there all of the time. The consequence of the defect (short-sightedness) is correctible by mechanical means (lenses).

Pseudomyopia has the same consequence of short-sightedness, but the sufferer is able “to see perfectly” at one time or another for varying lengths of time. For example: in the case of a single, young woman, myopia was the diagnosis and glasses were prescribed. The woman learned of the possibility of discarding glasses and substituted exercises of the muscles of the eyes; these exercises afforded some relief (first doubt of true myopia). Her sight becomes normal for periods of greater or less length. Sexual performances (kissing, masturbation) which result in an orgasm were followed by “perfect vision” (second and more important doubt of true myopia). It is natural to assume two things: first, the shape of the eyeball of this sufferer is under some type of control and second, that there is an intimate connection between the eye defect and the sex instinct.

The “intimate connection” is more firmly established by a case of strabismus in a four year old boy whose eyes remained permanently set close to the nose after constant masturbatory play with his teddy-bear. The child confessed his love of the playtoy and longed for his love-object—but when the teddy-bear was taken away, he substituted sliding on the edge of a hatchway for a half hour at a time (running his hand in his pocket after each descent); the presence of father and analyst did not disturb his performance.

Two important facts must be remembered: first, the unconscious mind is constantly exp