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Visual Perceptual Disorder Service

How our service can help you

The service provides specialist assessment, investigations, diagnosis and treatment initiation for adults with a visual perceptual disorder (for example, visual hallucination, visual illusion, visual snow, visual perceptual deficit). The visual perceptual disorder may be occurring in a previously diagnosed eye, neurological or psychiatric condition, or the cause of the disorder may be unknown at the time of referral.

The service offers a detailed assessment of the symptom, advice on treatment and if required, up to two follow-up visits to assess treatment response.

  • Service Type: Outpatient (National) Service Borough Covers: National (Adult services)

  • Contact the service

    Site Location: Maudsley Hospital Email: jean.nelson@slam.nhs.net Phone Number: 020 3228 1640
  • Address: Maudsley Hospital
    Denmark Hill,
    London,
    SE5 8AZ
  • Business Hours/Visiting Hours: Monday - Friday 9AM - 5PM

    • Other essential information

  • Conditions: Visual Perceptual Disorder (for example, visual hallucinations, visual illusion, visual snow, visual perceptual deficit)

Interventions

  • Clinical assessment
  • Neurological examination
  • Ophthalmological testing
  • Higher visual function testing
  • Brain imaging
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG) or visual electrophysiology
  • Recommendations for treatment with two follow-up visits to monitor treatment response

Eligibility criteria

  • 18 years and over
  • Visual perceptual disorder (for example visual hallucination, visual illusion, Charles Bonnet Syndrome, visual snow, hallucinogen persisting perceptual disorder)
  • Visual perceptual disorder with cognitive impairment
  • Visual perceptual disorder with Parkinson’s disease

 

Exclusion

  • The service is not appropriate for people with recent onset psychosis or delirium

Outcomes

  • Comprehensive assessment report
  • Definitive diagnosis and evaluation of contributory factors
  • Information and advice for service users and carers
  • Symptom reduction and/or reduced psychological and social impact of symptom

Care Options

Care option: Assessment

Code: 93063

Unit: Per two sessions

Description: This assessment lasts for up to two hours and is undertaken by a consultant. The assessment focuses on details of the symptom and the clinical context in which it occurs. If previous investigations and assessments have been carried out, these are reviewed. Screening tests of higher visual function are carried out. 
 


Care option: Visual function tests

Code: 93064

Unit: Per two sessions

Description: A comprehensive visual perceptual examination is undertaken using computerised tests customised for the visual perceptual disorder. This assessment lasts for up to two hours with further specialist investigations recommended if necessary. 
 


Care option: Neuro-ophthamology examination

Code: 93065

Unit: Per two sessions 

Description: If indicated, a comprehensive neuro-ophthamological examination is undertaken at King’s College Hospital. This assessment lasts for up to one hour and eye and visual pathway conditions will be identified or excluded, with further specialist investigations recommended if necessary. 
 


Care option: Specialist investigations

Code: Not applicable

Unit: Per two sessions

Description: Blood tests and brain imaging (CT, MRI, PET, SPECT, fMRI), EEG and visual electrophysiology. 
 


Care option: Follow-up

Code: 93066

Unit: Per two sessions

Description: For individuals where treatment has been initiated, up to two follow-up visits are offered to monitor response or modify the treatment plan. 

 

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