Adaptation to central scotoma. III. Visual hallucinations and Charles Bonnet syndrome

Patients with low vision due to central scotoma may experience complex visual hallucinations, referred to as Charles Bonnet syndrome. The present review reports the current literature on this syndrome and details its frequency, predisposing circumstances, the nature of the hallucinations, and treatments. It also reports the possible occurrence of the syndrome immediately after macular treatments using laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy. Patients should be reassured when they experience this syndrome, which is not severe but may be the cause of patient concern.