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Published on: November 12, 2020
[Charles Bonnet syndrome precipitated by brimonidine]
M R García-Catalán1, P Arriola-Villalobos, E Santos-Bueso
1Unidad de Neurooftalmología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España. rociogarciacatalan@gmail.com
Archivos De La Sociedad Espanola De Oftalmologia
|August 31, 2013
Summary
Brimonidine drops may cause visual hallucinations, a symptom of Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS), in elderly patients with vision loss. Hallucinations resolved after discontinuing the medication.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
Background:
- Age-related macular degeneration and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma are common causes of visual impairment in the elderly.
- Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is characterized by visual hallucinations in patients with vision loss, without psychiatric illness.
Observation:
- An 81-year-old woman with pre-existing visual impairment developed complex visual hallucinations (faces, flowers, frames) after initiating brimonidine eye drops.
- Neurological and psychiatric evaluations were unremarkable.
Findings:
- The visual hallucinations ceased within 10 days of discontinuing brimonidine.
- This case suggests a potential link between brimonidine use and the precipitation of CBS symptoms.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists should be aware of the potential for brimonidine to trigger visual hallucinations in susceptible patients.
- Management involves addressing the underlying visual impairment and considering medication review for suspected drug-induced CBS.
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