Terminal Glaucoma Mimicking Posterior Cerebral Artery Infarction: A Case Report

Visual disturbances such as homonymous hemianopia and visual hallucinations often suggest central nervous system pathology, particularly occipital lobe infarction. However, ocular conditions may present similarly and lead to misdiagnosis. We report the case of a 73-year-old man presenting with right-sided visual field deficits and visual hallucinations, initially suggestive of posterior cerebral artery stroke. Neuroimaging and electroencephalograms were unremarkable. Further ophthalmologic evaluation revealed advanced normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with bilateral field constriction and significant optic nerve cupping, consistent with terminal-stage NTG. The visual hallucinations were attributed to Charles Bonnet syndrome. This case underscores the importance of including ocular etiologies in the differential diagnosis of stroke mimics, particularly in elderly patients with visual complaints.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-07-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.88358
Primary Topic
Glaucoma and retinal disorders
Type
article
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article

Terminal Glaucoma Mimicking Posterior Cerebral Artery Infarction: A Case Report

Shih‐Wei Tsai, Wei-Hao Lin
Cureus
Glaucoma and retinal disorders
article

Terminal Glaucoma Mimicking Posterior Cerebral Artery Infarction: A Case Report

Shih‐Wei Tsai, Wei-Hao Lin
article en

Abstract

Visual disturbances such as homonymous hemianopia and visual hallucinations often suggest central nervous system pathology, particularly occipital lobe infarction. However, ocular conditions may present similarly and lead to misdiagnosis. We report the case of a 73-year-old man presenting with right-sided visual field deficits and visual hallucinations, initially suggestive of posterior cerebral artery stroke. Neuroimaging and electroencephalograms were unremarkable. Further ophthalmologic evaluation revealed advanced normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with bilateral field constriction and significant optic nerve cupping, consistent with terminal-stage NTG. The visual hallucinations were attributed to Charles Bonnet syndrome. This case underscores the importance of including ocular etiologies in the differential diagnosis of stroke mimics, particularly in elderly patients with visual complaints.

CureusVol. 17(7)
Kaohsiung Medical University (TW)
Openalex Percentile: Top 73%
Glaucoma and retinal disorders
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Terminal Glaucoma Mimicking Posterior Cerebral Artery Infarction: A Case Report — Shih‐Wei Tsai, Wei-Hao Lin · Cureus (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS