Contrast sensitivity and visual hallucinations in patients referred to a low vision rehabilitation clinic
- Department of Ophthalmology, Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute and California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
- Correspondence to: Donald C Fletcher Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute and California Pacific Medical Center, 2340 Clay Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA; floridafletch{at}msn.com
Contrast sensitivity and visual hallucinations have significant consequences for the patient
The paper on contrast sensitivity and visual hallucinations by Jackson et al1 (see page 296) in this issue draws attention to the fact that we will never detect correlations among factors to which we do not pay attention or that we are not interested in.
Both contrast sensitivity and visual hallucinations are items that are too often omitted from the medical history and the eye examination. One of the reasons probably is that neither finding can contribute much to the differential diagnosis. However, both conditions have significant consequences for the patient.
Many people who experience visual hallucinations are deeply concerned and afraid that it is a sign of some mental deterioration. They are greatly relieved to find out that this phenomenon is well know, has …
