Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with acute vision loss, typically affecting older adults. Most CBS cases are observed in patients with sudden severe visual impairment; however, there are limited reports of CBS occurring in individuals wi...

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Main Authors: Shriya Prakash Bhat, Abeezar Shipchandler, Chris Tokunaga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/7/3/65
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author Shriya Prakash Bhat
Abeezar Shipchandler
Chris Tokunaga
author_facet Shriya Prakash Bhat
Abeezar Shipchandler
Chris Tokunaga
author_sort Shriya Prakash Bhat
collection DOAJ
description Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with acute vision loss, typically affecting older adults. Most CBS cases are observed in patients with sudden severe visual impairment; however, there are limited reports of CBS occurring in individuals with mild visual deterioration, particularly when confounded by sensory deprivation and social isolation. Here, we report a case of CBS in a female in her early 80s, who experienced vivid visual hallucinations during a period of prolonged social isolation following a hip surgery. Although symptomatology initially presented as delirium and psychosis, the diagnosis of CBS was confirmed after a neuropsychiatric evaluation and ophthalmologic exam, which showed mild deterioration in the patient’s macular degeneration, combined with a social history of reduced independence and increased isolation. The case highlights the lesser-known role of sudden lifestyle changes and reduced cognitive engagement in CBS development in cases of mild visual impairment. It also suggests that cognitive and social stimulation may play a crucial role in CBS management, which has limited reports in the current literature.
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spelling doaj-art-a44fd807dd6a471a970d2b5a6a4342012025-08-20T01:55:49ZengMDPI AGReports2571-841X2024-08-01736510.3390/reports7030065Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual DeteriorationShriya Prakash Bhat0Abeezar Shipchandler1Chris Tokunaga2Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiome, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USAMedical Director, Hospital Medicine, Baylor Scott and White, Plano, TX 75093, USAPsychiatry, Baylor Scott and White, Temple, TX 76508, USACharles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with acute vision loss, typically affecting older adults. Most CBS cases are observed in patients with sudden severe visual impairment; however, there are limited reports of CBS occurring in individuals with mild visual deterioration, particularly when confounded by sensory deprivation and social isolation. Here, we report a case of CBS in a female in her early 80s, who experienced vivid visual hallucinations during a period of prolonged social isolation following a hip surgery. Although symptomatology initially presented as delirium and psychosis, the diagnosis of CBS was confirmed after a neuropsychiatric evaluation and ophthalmologic exam, which showed mild deterioration in the patient’s macular degeneration, combined with a social history of reduced independence and increased isolation. The case highlights the lesser-known role of sudden lifestyle changes and reduced cognitive engagement in CBS development in cases of mild visual impairment. It also suggests that cognitive and social stimulation may play a crucial role in CBS management, which has limited reports in the current literature.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/7/3/65Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS)visual hallucinationssocial isolation
spellingShingle Shriya Prakash Bhat
Abeezar Shipchandler
Chris Tokunaga
Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration
Reports
Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS)
visual hallucinations
social isolation
title Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration
title_full Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration
title_fullStr Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration
title_full_unstemmed Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration
title_short Social Isolation as a Precipitating Factor for Charles Bonnet Syndrome in a Patient with Mild Visual Deterioration
title_sort social isolation as a precipitating factor for charles bonnet syndrome in a patient with mild visual deterioration
topic Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS)
visual hallucinations
social isolation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/7/3/65
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