ABSTRACT
-Visual perceptual abnormalities may be caused by diverse etiologies which span the
fields of psychiatry and neurology. This article reviews the differential diagnosis
of visual perceptual abnormalities from both a neurological and a psychiatric perspective.
Psychiatric etiologies include mania, depression, substance dependence, and schizophrenia.
Common neurological causes include migraine, epilepsy, delirium, dementia, tumor,
and stroke. The phenomena of palinopsia, oscillopsia, dysmetropsia, and polyopia among
others are also reviewed. A systematic approach to the many causes of illusions and
hallucinations may help to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and a more focused evaluation
and treatment plan for patients who develop visual perceptual abnormalities. This
article provides the practicing neurologist with a practical understanding and approach
to patients with these clinical symptoms.
KEYWORD
Illusion - hallucination - perceptual abnormalities - oscillopsia - polyopia - diplopia
- palinopsia - dysmetropsia - visual allesthesia - visual synthesia - visual dysesthesia
- sensation of environmental tilt - psychiatric - neurological
