Full Answer Section

Other Risk Factors:

• Laterality of Vision Loss: CBS typically occurs in individuals with bilateral vision loss. However, case studies report CBS in patients with significant vision loss in one eye (Teunissen et al., 2015).
• Older Age: Older age appears to be a potential risk factor for CBS (Teunissen et al., 2015).
• Ocular Pathology: The underlying ocular pathology may not be directly linked to CBS development (Jang et al., 2013). This means the specific eye condition causing vision loss might not significantly impact the development of CBS.

Key Points for Optometrists:

• BCVA: Consider CBS as a possibility in patients with BCVA of 20/200 or worse in the better eye, especially if they experience visual hallucinations.
• Visual Field Loss: While the type of visual field loss is unclear, remain attentive to potential CBS in patients with central vision loss.
• Laterality: Although more typical with bilateral vision loss, be aware that CBS can occur in some individuals with significant vision loss in one eye.
• Age: Be mindful that older patients with vision loss might be more susceptible to CBS.

Early Identification:

Including questions about visual hallucinations during routine eye examinations can facilitate early identification of CBS and provide reassurance to patients. This can significantly improve their well-being.

Further Research:

More research is needed to explore the specific types of visual field loss associated with CBS and investigate the influence of other factors like age and cognitive function.