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Charles Bonnet syndrome is a condition where you see things that are not real (hallucinations). It can happen if you've lost a lot of your sight. It's not caused by a mental health problem or dementia.

The main symptom of Charles Bonnet syndrome is seeing things that are not real (hallucinations) after losing a lot of your sight.

It's often linked to eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.

The hallucinations can:

• be patterns such as shapes or lines
• be of people, animals, objects or places
• be moving or still
• be in black and white or colour
• happen suddenly
• last for a few minutes or several hours

The hallucinations are only things you see. You do not hear, smell or feel things that are not there.

Most people with Charles Bonnet syndrome know the hallucinations are not real.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

There's currently no cure for Charles Bonnet syndrome, but over time the hallucinations usually happen less often.

If you're finding the hallucinations upsetting, speak to a GP.

They can refer you for talking therapy that can help with hallucinations.

There's some things you can try when a hallucination starts that may make it go away.

There are some other things that can help if you have Charles Bonnet syndrome, such as:

• making sure you're well rested and are getting enough sleep at night – the hallucinations may be worse when you're tired or stressed
• using bright light bulbs in your home and using a magnifying device to make things bigger when you need to – making use of the sight you have may help the hallucinations happen less often
• getting regular eye tests – an optician can check for further changes in your eyes and give you advice about how to make the best use of the sight you have

A GP, optician or ophthalmologist (eye doctor) can refer you to a specialist low-vision service for advice about things to help with your sight.

Find out more

Find out more about managing Charles Bonnet syndrome from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

Charles Bonnet syndrome is linked to vision loss.

When you lose your sight, your brain gets less information from your eyes than it's used to. Your brain sometimes makes up for this by creating hallucinations.

Not everyone who loses their sight will get Charles Bonnet syndrome. You're more likely to get it if:

• your sight suddenly gets worse
• you lose sight in both eyes

It's common in people who have eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.

Charles Bonnet syndrome is not caused by a mental health problem or dementia.

There are some charities and organisations that provide information and support for people with Charles Bonnet syndrome.

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): Charles Bonnet syndrome
• The Macular Society: Charles Bonnet syndrome
• Esme's umbrella: Charles Bonnet syndrome support and information