Charles Bonnet Syndrome

[muddledme]

Yet another fascinating webinar( last Thursday 3 rd November) about this syndrome.This is usually repeated on You Tube in a few weeks.

It may effect anyone with usually at least 60% sight loss.

However it does not effect everyone, and some research is ongoing in the UK to determine the cause.

Apparently although it causes hallucinations the patient is not mentally ill, and yet sadly sometimes wrongly diagnosed as such.

I think my elderly mother may have had this to a small extent and wish I had known about it. How many more people may be worried about their frightening symptoms?.

Patients with sight loss and this condition are wanted for research.

I was astonished to hear that there are about 1 million people in the UK living with this condition which is not widely known or diagnosed by medics.

[Beecalmed]

Sounds interesting! Another video to catch up on! 👍🏻

[Euphor]

That’s very interesting, i will do further research. I sometimes “see” things but not always. An example involved me rushing up the road to help an old man who seemed to be on the road hunched over his mobility scooter. I can tell you he was wearing a flat cap and a cream sports jacket…In fact, there was no one there 😳. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it’s very odd to realise my eyes/mind has played tricks on me!

[muddledme in reply to Euphor]

Hello Euphor,

From what you describe, your "hallucination" does sound similar to Charles Bonnet syndrome.

I expect and hope that your opthalmologist and optician would be interested.

It certainly seems that this syndrome is probably far more common than is known. Most hospital visits are so rushed that there is so little time to enquire about things that are not immediately important.

I have started asking friends with poor sight about hallucinations and was surprised yesterday to hear that someone had experienced one , her opthalmologist was very interested and agreed it was probably this syndrome.

This was years ago and she has never had a repeated experience, apparently everyone is very different.

At least if you know about the syndrome then I hope it will not be a worry.

Best wishes