Visual Hallucinations and Sensory Delusions in the Elderly

Abstract

SummaryOne hundred and fifty successive referrals to a psychogeriatrician were assessed for visual hallucinations. Forty-four (29.33 per cent) patients reported visual perceptual disturbances. No differences between hallucinators and non-hallucinators were found in terms of sex, age, length of illness, underlying psychiatric diagnosis or cognitive score. There was a significant correlation between presence of hallucinations and eye pathology (<.001) and delusions (<.001). The phenomenological characteristics of the visual hallucinations are analyzed. The “picture” sign is described in 7 patients and the Charles Bonnet syndrome in two. The significance of these findings is discussed.