Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a disorder of visual hallucinations in psychologically normal patients with ocular disease or damage to visual pathways. The etiology of CBS is not fully understood. It is associated with various triggers, with age-related macular degeneration the most common; other triggers are systemic diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and anemia as well as lighting issues, fatigue, and medical or surgical eye treatments. Visual disturbances such as decreased visual acuity, visual field deficits, or visual hallucinations are common in association with hypertensive encephalopathy. We describe a patient with episodic CBS triggered by recurrent hypertensive crises, which resolved with blood pressure management in the hospital setting.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome , Hypertensive Encephalopathy , Macular Degeneration , Humans , Charles Bonnet Syndrome/complications , Charles Bonnet Syndrome/diagnosis , Vision Disorders/complications , Hallucinations/diagnosis , Hallucinations/etiology , Hallucinations/therapy , Macular Degeneration/complications , Hypertensive Encephalopathy/complications
Introduction: Telemedicine has enabled access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article describes the creation and implementation of a telemedicine clinic in a student-run free clinic (SRFC) serving uninsured patients in Tampa, FL. Methods: A new workflow was developed for a telemedicine clinic, including a screening algorithm to determine appropriateness for telemedicine appointments. Volunteer students and providers conducted patient remote visits that allowed students to have service-learning experiences. Analysis of patient visits between March 31, 2020, and July 23, 2020, was conducted. Study protocol was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board and an exemption was obtained. Results: Eighty-four visits were conducted for 58 unique patients. Seventy-two percent were female and 88% were of Hispanic or Latino origin. Forty-four students and 33 physicians volunteered. The majority of visits were general follow-ups (83%) followed by psychiatry (11%) and cardiology (6%). Conclusion: Telemedicine is a viable method of providing care for an at-risk uninsured population at an SRFC. It can also enhance service learning for medical student volunteers.
