Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) can cause visual hallucinations in individuals suffering from serious vision loss; however, many people are unaware that the condition exists and may fear they are developing dementia or a mental illness.
Experts stated CBS affects about 1 in 6 people with retinal disease or major vision loss.
It is especially common among people with severe sight loss and often occurs alongside age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that damages the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision.
People with CBS may see people, flowers, animals, patterns or geometric shapes that remain absent.
The hallucinations can be unsettling, but experts say they do not necessarily indicate a psychiatric disorder.
Dr. Surendar Purohit, a retina specialist in Michigan, told The Washington Post,”"I think a lot of people are not familiar with it, even within the medical community. I don't recall being taught this in medical school."
Research by Dr. Dominic ffytche of King's College London suggests that vision loss can affect activity in the brain's visual cortex. When normal signals from the eyes decrease, parts of the visual system may become more excitable, potentially producing hallucinations.
Researchers still do not fully understand why some people with severe vision loss develop CBS while others do not. Experts recommend discussing unusual visual experiences with a doctor so other possible causes can be ruled out.
For several people, simply understanding the condition can reduce fear. The hallucinations may become less frequent or intense over time, although they do not always disappear completely.
Early awareness can therefore assist individuals comprehend that these experiences may be linked to vision loss rather than automatically meaning they are losing their minds.
