The impact of Charles Bonnet syndrome in patients with age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Introduction: Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a condition related to patients having complex visual hallucinations and visual loss due to ophthalmologic disease, without cognitive impairment. CBS is an important differential diagnosis of dementia syndromes, and the correct diagnosis has a great impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from the stigma of psychiatric disease. Objective: The objective of the present study is to determine the impact and review symptoms of CBS in patients with visual loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by using a questionnaire. Method: Sixty patients suffering from AMD were forwarded from the Retina Sector of the Ophthalmology Service of the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo to the Low Vision Sector for a cognitive assessment questionnaire. Results: Of the 60 patients studied, 10 were diagnosed with CBS, thus representing 16.6% of the incidence of CBS cases in individuals with AMD. Among these 10 cases, males represented 30% versus females who represented 70% of the total. Patients over 80 years old represented 50% of those who were diagnosed with CBS. CBS represents an important co-diagnosis in AMD patients. Conclusion: The research highlights the utility of the cognitive assessment questionnaire as a valuable tool for easily diagnosing the syndrome in patients with AMD. This tool facilitates the identification of the condition, enabling the recommendation of appropriate clinical treatments and the provision of essential psychosocial support.

Keywords

• age-related macular degeneration
• charles bonnet syndrome
• complex visual hallucinations
• visual loss