Transient formed visual hallucinations following macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To report the occurrence of transient formed visual hallucinations following macular translocation.

METHODS: Two case reports.

RESULTS: Two white women aged 84 and 83 years with bilateral age-related macular degeneration and unilateral subfoveal choroidal neovascularization underwent macular translocation with punctate retinotomy (limited macular translocation) and chorioscleral infolding in the eye with neovascularization. They complained of formed visual hallucinations which began within 24 hours following macular translocation and ceased 7 and 3 days postoperatively, respectively. Their symptoms occurred in the presence of normal cognition, orientation and insight, were not associated with other psychiatric symptoms, and were characteristic of Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS).

CONCLUSION: The temporary deliberate retinal detachment and/or poor vision following macular translocation may be associated with postoperative CBS, and this report extends the spectrum of conditions associated with CBS.