Charles Bonnet syndrome
Help and support
If you have Charles Bonnet syndrome, talking about your hallucinations and how they make you feel may help you cope better. You could try talking to your family, friends, GP, optician, or ophthalmologist.
Mental health professionals, such ascounsellors, psychologists or psychiatrists, may also be able to help if you're finding the hallucinations particularly upsetting.
Although Charles Bonnet syndrome isn't a mental health condition, many mental health professionals have experience of helping people come to terms with hallucinations. Your GP should be able to refer you to your local mental health team.
Their helpline is available on 0300 30 30 111, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Esme's Umbrella , an awareness campaign for Charles Bonnet syndrome, has a website with links to information and helpful resources for both patients and healthcare professionals.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) also has more information and advice about Charles Bonnet syndrome .
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out what Charles Bonnet syndrome is, who it affects, what causes it, how to manage it, plus the help and support available.
Types of hallucination
There are two main types of hallucination that people with Charles Bonnet syndrome tendto experience. They may see: simple repeated patterns complex images of people, objects or landscapes Simple
Who's affected and why?
Charles Bonnet syndrome affects people who've lost most or all of their eyesight. It's more likely to occur if vision loss affects both eyes. According to the Macular Society, up to half of all peop
What effect can hallucinations have?
Visual hallucinations are a normal response the brain has to the loss of vision. However, as Charles Bonnet syndrome isn't widely known, many people worry about what it means and fear they may be dev
DiagnosingCharles Bonnet syndrome
There isn't a specific test for Charles Bonnet syndrome. Doctors diagnose it by: talking to the person about their symptoms taking a detailed medical history in some cases, carrying out tests toru
Treating Charles Bonnet syndrome
There's currently no cure for Charles Bonnet syndrome. Simply understanding that the hallucinations are a normal consequence of vision loss, rather than a mental health problem,can be very reassuring
Help and support
If you have Charles Bonnet syndrome, talking about your hallucinations and how they make you feel may help you cope better. You could try talking to your family, friends, GP, optician, or ophthalmolog
Subscribe
Ask the doctor
Rate this article
Find products