[Optical hallucinations in the aged with diseases of the eye]

Two cases of Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) showing an unusual history are reported. In a 67-year-old man visual hallucinations developed 38 years after bilateral optic nerve damage due to methyl alcohol poisoning. A 78-year-old woman suffering from bilateral advanced cataract experienced visual hallucinations which ceased after improvement of vision resulting from cataract extraction. Sensory deprivation and--possibly--central neurophysiological disturbance are to be regarded as important pathogenetic factors. Signs of cerebral dysfunction which could be relevant to the pathogenesis of CBS were revealed by the EEG.