Experts say that Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition in which severely visually impaired people may experience visual illusions or hallucinations, but many people are not aware of this condition and fear that they may be suffering from dementia or some other mental illness.

Experts say that about 1 in 6 people with retinal disease or severe vision loss may be affected by Charles Bonnet syndrome.

This condition is particularly common in people with severe vision loss and often occurs with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

It is a disease that affects the central part of the retina, the macula, which is responsible for central vision.

People with Charles Bonnet syndrome may see people, flowers, animals, different shapes or geometric patterns around them that are not actually there.

These hallucinations can be disturbing, but experts say they don’t necessarily mean the sufferer is suffering from a mental illness.

Research by Dr. Dominic Fitt of King’s College London suggests that vision loss can affect the activity of the visual part of the brain, the visual cortex. When normal visual signals from the eyes are reduced, certain parts of the visual system may become more active, making hallucinations more likely.

Researchers still do not fully understand why some people with severe vision loss develop Charles Bonnet syndrome while others are immune.

Experts suggest that if a person has unusual visual experiences, they should talk to their doctor about it, to rule out other possible causes of these symptoms.

For many people, simply being aware of the condition helps to reduce the fear.Over time, these hallucinations may become fewer or relatively milder, although they do not necessarily disappear completely.

Note: This is an informational article, consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment of any of your ailments.