[Charles Bonnet syndrome. A 45-case series]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Context:

• Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is increasingly prevalent due to longer life expectancies and age-related eye conditions like AMD.
• CBS involves visual hallucinations in individuals with significant vision loss but no cognitive impairment.

Purpose:

• To analyze the key characteristics of Charles Bonnet Syndrome in 45 diagnosed patients.
• To understand the demographic, clinical presentation, and hallucination patterns in CBS patients.

Summary:

• The study analyzed 45 CBS patients, predominantly women over 80 with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
• Common hallucinations included people/faces (35.55%), were colorful (66.66%), in motion (80%), developed over 6-12 months, occurred 3 times daily, and lasted 3-5 minutes.

Impact:

• Highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists for effective CBS management.
• Emphasizes the necessity for further research into CBS presentation and behavior to improve patient care.