Prevalence of photopsias and Charles Bonnet syndrome: evaluation of eighty cases with low vision

Abstract

Purpose : The goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence of photopsias and formed visual hallucinations (Charles Bonnet syndrome) in patients suffering from low vision. Methods : Eighty patients with low vision due to different ophthalmic pathologies were included in this study. Low vision rehabilitation examination was performed at the Low Vision Unit of our Retina Service. After examination, the patients were asked in a nonthreatening and noninvasive manner whether they had experienced any event of seeing something that really had not existed there at that time. Results : Visual hallucinations and/or photopsias were experienced by 31.25% of the patients. Conclusion : Charles Bonnet syndrome is common in patients with low vision and is not age-dependent.