Palinopsia

Optometrists should be aware of the symptoms of palinopsia to enable them to recognize this phenomenon and minimize the chance of misdiagnosis. Learning the physiologic mechanisms behind this uncommon disorder can help the clinician correctly identify its cause. Although palinopsia itself is not a disease, it is indicative of a disease, and the symptoms of palinopsia may be a manifestation of a serious underlying systemic dysfunction that could warrant treatment. In addition, identifying the symptoms of palinopsia can put patients at ease with regard to the often disturbing visual symptoms.