[Hallucinations in vision impairment]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2011 Jan 3;173(1):50.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

A 79-year-old female had vision loss due to wet age-related macular degeneration, corneal endothelial dystrophy with corneal oedema and cataract. She subsequently began hallucinating and saw imaginary vehicles, bridges, trees and houses on the road while driving (Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS)). The hallucinations caused anxiety and distress. Her general practitioner started anti-anxiety therapy with no significant effect. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy and a corneal transplantation improved her visual acuity, decreased the frequency of hallucinations and resulted in complete remission of the her anxiety. Thus, vision-improving treatment of eye disease may decrease CBS-associated anxiety.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anxiety
  • Cataract / complications
  • Corneal Diseases / complications
  • Corneal Diseases / surgery
  • Female
  • Hallucinations* / diagnosis
  • Hallucinations* / etiology
  • Hallucinations* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration / complications
  • Macular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Syndrome
  • Vision Disorders / complications
  • Vision Disorders / therapy
  • Visual Acuity