Phantom Eye Syndrome
An interesting and not often talked about aspect of having an eye enucleated is Phantom Eye Syndrome. It has been described as a fireworks show with flashes of bright light.
The theory is that when the optic nerve is cut the brain receives irregular impulses and interprets them as flashes of light.
The effect varies from person to person with some people experiencing impressive performances while 50% of people do not experience it at all.
Most patients claimed they had visual hallucinations from right after the enucleation.
If the patients terminated having visual hallucinations – it usually stopped in the first 6 months after the eye amputation.
Once you know it is a natural side effect of having an eye removed you need not worry about it and enjoy the show.
Phantom Eye Syndrome: Types of Visual Hallucinations and Related Phenomena
Roed Rasmussen, Marie Louise M.D.; Prause, Jan U. M.D., D.M.Sc.; Ocularist, Martin Johnson; Toft, Peter B. M.D., D.M.Sc.
Abstract
Purpose: 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.
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Very useful information. Hope to see more posts soon. no other word to say. Nice information on artificial eye.
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.