Can visual hallucinations occur in people with macular degeneration?
Yes, the condition is called Charles Bonnet Syndrome. In patients who have eye diseases that prevent the normal nerve impulses from reaching the brain, there is speculation that spontaneous nerve activity may be generated by the brain, causing the visual hallucinations. The syndrome appears to be more common in women than men and it is more likely to occur if both eyes are affected by disease. The hallucinations are complex and fully formed images. They are most frequently of animals, people, faces, or scenery. Patients know that the hallucinations are not real. For most people with macular degeneration, the condition is managed by educating the patient, their family and reassuring them that they are not “going insane” or suffering from a psychotic disorder.
