Charles Bonnet Syndrome – Overview
Charles Bonnet syndrome is a condition in which individuals with significant vision loss experience visual hallucinations. Although the person is mentally healthy, this syndrome causes them to see things that aren’t there — often in vivid detail. These hallucinations are not caused by mental illness or dementia but are a response to the brain’s reduced visual input.
The condition was first described in 1760 by Swiss philosopher Charles Bonnet, who noted the phenomenon in his grandfather. People with this syndrome may see patterns, people, animals, or complex scenes, even though they are fully aware the images are not real.
This syndrome typically occurs in individuals who have lost at least part of their vision due to eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or cataracts. As the eyes stop sending full signals to the brain, the visual cortex fills in the gaps by creating its own images, leading to hallucinations.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome
These visual experiences vary in frequency and intensity. Some people see hallucinations several times a day, while others experience them occasionally. Importantly, individuals with this condition do not lose touch with reality — they know that what they’re seeing isn’t actually present.
Though the hallucinations can be distressing, this syndrome is not dangerous. Raising awareness of the condition helps reduce anxiety in those affected and encourages them to seek medical advice without fear of being misdiagnosed with a psychiatric illness.
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