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Distressing Macular Degeneration Symptom If You Remain Silent
June 20, 2023
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Distressing Macular Degeneration Symptom If You Remain Silent

This symptom of macular degeneration can be distressing for many people with vision loss, especially if they remain silent and are uninformed of its cause. Such were some of the results that were published in the May 13, 2014 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Those who were unaware of the cause of this symptom, feared that the source of their problem was something more serious, like mental illness or Alzheimer's. Patients' emotional reactions included startling, terrifying and frightening as well as curious and intrigued.

Visual Hallucinations - What Do They Mean?

A total of 1254 surveys were returned by members of the Macular Society who reported a diagnosis of macular disease and were asked about their experience with visual hallucinations. The reported survey results showed that "39% (n=492) had experienced hallucinations of patterns (63%), faces (39%), objects (39%), figures (36%) and animals (22%)."

 This symptom of visual hallucinations, called Charles Bonnet Syndrome, is one that my father-in-law also experienced. Once he was informed about the syndrome, his feelings of anxiety were greatly alleviated.

His reduced concern, once he became aware of this AMD symptom, is typical as reported from the same study that found, "Sixty-three per cent were relieved and/or reassured by receiving information on Charles Bonnet Syndrome."

Find out about this symptom and tell others you know who have AMD about Charles Bonnet Syndrome so that they will be less disturbed if or when it happens to them.

Disturbing Macular Degeneration Symptom of Visual Hallucinations

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Better Health for Better Vision

WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com

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