RESUMO
Charles Bonnet syndrome comprises the triad of visual hallucinations, visual sensory deprivation, and preserved cognitive status. This paper discusses a case diagnosed as Charles Bonnet syndrome, involving visual hallucinations secondary to bilateral primary optic atrophy. An 80-year-old female with normal cognitive functions in the presence of primary optic atrophy and visual hallucinations was diagnosed with Charles Bonnet syndrome. The patient, having had poor vision since childhood, had lost it totally in the last year. Her vision had not improved following cataract operations in both eyes 6 months previously. Her vision was at the level of hand movements. In biomicroscopic examination, bilateral pseudoaphakia was found. Since fundus examination showed bilateral primary optic atrophy in the presence of visual hallucinations, a psychiatric consultation was requested. In her psychiatric examination, she had had hallucinations for the last two years, first elementary and then complex in character. Her cognitive functions were normal with no pathology in her neurologic examination. Routine investigations and neuroradiologic examinations were normal. She had no past history of any personal or familial psychiatric or systemic physical disorder. She was given olanzapine 5 mg daily and was followed up. This syndrome, defined as visual hallucinations in the presence of preserved cognitive functions and deprived vision, requires further research.
