Six Cases of Charles Bonnet Syndrome Presenting in Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic

Abstract

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a disorder in which complex visual hallucinations occur in persons without mental disorders but with visual loss or an early stage of an unreality of perceptions. We report 6 cases of CBS who presented in our neuro-ophthalmology clinic. All patients had severe visual loss bilaterally (visual acuity < 0.2), and bilateral optic neuropathies or retinopathies. Their ages ranged from 52 to 79 years, and they reported various types of hallucinations that remained for 5 months to 13 years. We conclude that patients with the Charles Bonnet syndrome are not uncommon in a neuro-ophthalmology clinic, and clinicians should consider this syndrome in patients with hallucinations.

KEYWORDS:

• Charles Bonnet syndrome
• complex visual hallucinations
• neuro-ophthalmology
• visual loss