Visual hallucinations immediately after macular photocoagulation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of visual hallucinations after macular photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization.

METHODS

After macular photocoagulation for choroidal neovascularization, 60 consecutive patients were asked to respond to an orally administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (45%) described photopsias, flashing lights of various colors. Ten additional patients (16.6%) also described structured hallucinations, including known or unknown faces, flowers, and geometric patterns, which occurred hours or a few days after photocoagulation. Patients with structured hallucinations were older (P =.04) and more often had subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (P =.005) and severe macular disease in both eyes or at least in the treated eye (P =.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Visual hallucinations appear to be a frequent, albeit unrecognized, side effect of macular photocoagulation of choroidal neovascularization. The provision of proper information to patients may avoid concern about a psychiatric origin of their hallucinations.