Charles Bonnet syndrome is a condition in which someone with poor vision experiences visual hallucinations, or seeing things that aren’t there. It occurs in individuals who have lost a significant portion of their sight due to age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, or other conditions that affect vision. It may also arise after cataract surgery or after a stroke. Charles Bonnet syndrome is not due to dementia , psychosis , or other mental health problems—though some wh
Symptoms and Causes of Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Charles Bonnet syndrome is named for the 18th-century naturalist and philosopher Charles Bonnet, who first identified the condition in his elderly grandfather. The primary symptom of Charles Bonnet syndrome is visual hallucinations, though the exact nature of these hallucinations can vary.
Some people may see repeating patterns of lines or shapes, while others may see more concrete objects—including people’s faces, animals, or trees. The images may be stationary or may move around. Some people have reported that their hallucinations appear in black and white, though this is not universally the case. Others report that the objects they see appear miniature or smaller than normal—for example, they may see people who appear to be only a foot tall—these specific hallucinations are called "Lilliputian hallucinations."
Hallucinations caused by Charles Bonnet syndrome may last anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours. The hallucinations are only visual; they do not affect hearing, smell, or any other senses.
In general, people with Charles Bonnet syndrome are well aware that what they’re seeing isn’t real. However, they may not share that they have hallucinations, even with their healthcare providers, because they do not want others to think they are mentally unstable.
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