Charles Bonnet Syndrome Associated With Recurrent Hypertensive Crisis

Abstract

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a disorder of visual hallucinations in psychologically normal patients with ocular disease or damage to visual pathways. The etiology of CBS is not fully understood. It is associated with various triggers, with age-related macular degeneration the most common; other triggers are systemic diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and anemia as well as lighting issues, fatigue, and medical or surgical eye treatments. Visual disturbances such as decreased visual acuity, visual field deficits, or visual hallucinations are common in association with hypertensive encephalopathy. We describe a patient with episodic CBS triggered by recurrent hypertensive crises, which resolved with blood pressure management in the hospital setting.