Case report

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2018.122

HALLUCINATORY EXPERIENCES IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS: CHARLES BONNET SYNDROME – IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

Darija Jurisic ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Irena Sesar ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ivan Cavar ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Antonio Sesar ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Maja Zivkovic ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Curkovic ; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Background: Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) refers to visual hallucinations that occur in individuals with preserved cognitive
functions associated with visual impairment.
Methods: This article reviews occurence of visual hallucinations in subjects with CBS by journals published in English in the
Pubmed database in the period 1992-2018. Criteria for selection of appropriate papers were sufficient information and perspicuous
view on pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical presentation and treatment possibilities of CBS.
Results: Most commonly, visual hallucinations in patients with CBS are complex, repetitive and stereotyped. Such individuals
have preserved insight that those percepts are not real, and there is an absence of secondary explanatory delusions and
hallucinations within other modalities. Seeing as the aforementioned percepts do not share all the characteristics of hallucinations, it
remains unresolved how they should be referred to. Terms as release hallucinations, one that is reflecting its underlying pathogenesis,
or confabulatory hallucinatory experiences have been proposed. Moreover, CBS has also been referred to as phantom
vision syndrome and may occur in any ophthalmological disease. It is not particularly connected with loss of function along any level
of the visual pathway. Although this syndrome is mostly associated with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataract,
it could be related to almost any other ophthalmological conditions. The incidence of CBS alongside with mostly other ocular
pathology is rising as population is ageing.
Conclusions: Nonetheless, CBS remains commonly underreported, under recognized and/or misrecognized. Albeit the treatment
recommendations and guidelines are not yet fully established, it is important to raise awareness of this specific and distinct
condition, which inevitably implicates many differential diagnostic deliberations.

Keywords

visual hallucinations; Charles Bonnet syndrome; low vision; mental health in elderly

Hrčak ID:

202053

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/202053

Publication date:

26.6.2018.

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