Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition that causes visual hallucinations in people who have lost some sight, usually due to eye diseases like macular degeneration or cataracts. Despite these vivid images, individuals with CBS are aware that the hallucinations are not real; they recognize they are a result of their vision loss. The syndrome is named after the Swiss philosopher Charles Bonnet, who first described it in the 18th century. CBS is not linked to mental illness; rather, it reflects how the brain tries to compensate for the lack of visual input.