What is Charles Bonnet syndrome?
Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a common condition among people who have lost their sight. It causes people who have lost a lot of vision to see things that aren't really there, known as visual hallucinations. CBS is caused by loss of vision and the way your brain reacts to this loss.
People who develop CBS fall into two main areas and will see either:
- Simple repeated patterns or shapes, such as grids or brickwork patterns
- Complex hallucinations of people, objects and landscapes.
For tips on how to manage CBS see Do you have any tips on how to deal with Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) hallucinations?
CBS is more common in people who have an eye condition such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. Many of these conditions are more common in older people so many people who have CBS are also older. However, CBS can affect anyone of any age, including children.
Further information can also be found on the Esme's Umbrella website.
