May 2023 Eyes/Optics
Charles Bonnet Syndrome, named in honor of the 18th century Swiss naturalist and philosopher, is a condition in which the person experiences visual hallucinations they know aren’t real. These hallucinations are not the result of cognitive impairment and the hallucinations do not manifest with the other senses (smell, taste, touch, hearing). The visual hallucinations of CBS can range from simple patterns, shapes or light flashes to people, animals or landscapes, black and white or in vivid color. They may be of Lilliputian nature, seeing miniature people or animals. These images can be distressing, entertaining, or the person may tune them out altogether.