Phantom eye syndrome: types of visual hallucinations and related phenomena.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence of phantom eye syndrome in eye-amputated patients, to give a description of visual hallucinations, and to identify triggers, stoppers, and emotions related to visual hallucinations.


METHODS
The hospital database was screened, using surgery codes for patients who had received ocular evisceration, enucleation, or secondary implantation of an orbital implant in the period 1993-2003. A total of 267 patients was found and invited to participate, 173 accepted. Patients who accepted participation had their records reviewed, and a structured interview about visual hallucinations and pain was performed by one trained questioner (M.L.R.R.).


RESULTS
The prevalence of phantom eye syndrome was 51%. Elementary visual hallucinations were present in 36%, complex visual hallucinations in only 1%, and other visual hallucinations in 14%. The elementary visual hallucinations were most often white or colored light, as a continuous sharp light or as moving dots. The most frequent triggers were darkness, closing of the eyes, fatigue, and psychological stress; 54% of patients had the experience more than once a week. Ten patients were so visually disturbed that it interfered with their daily life.


CONCLUSIONS
Phantom eye syndrome is common, and the authors recommend that surgeons inform their patients about the phenomenon.
Roed Rasmussen
Marie Louise
ML
Eye Clinic, 2061, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. dr.roed@gmail.com
Prause
Jan U
JU
Johnson
Martin
M
Toft
Peter B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D017234:Eye Evisceration; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult