Isolated visual hallucinations and the Charles Bonnet syndrome: a review of the literature and presentation of six cases

Abstract

Vivid visual hallucinations without other psychopathology have been reported for several hundred years. However, there is no consensus on whether these hallucinations should be considered a separate syndrome, the Charles Bonnet syndrome, or whether eye disease or brain disease is a necessary or exclusionary criterion for diagnosing this syndrome. In an attempt to resolve these issues, this article reviews the literature on isolated visual hallucinations and presents follow-up data from six cases. Criteria for diagnosing the Charles Bonnet syndrome are suggested.