Charles Bonnet syndrome awareness day
Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) affects people with partial or total vision loss, causing them to experience visual hallucinations. These hallucinations can range from simple patterns to vivid scenes, such as faces, animals, or landscapes. People with CBS are usually aware that these images aren’t real and the hallucinations don’t involve other senses like sound, smell, or touch.
Watch our video with Dr Amit Patel who describes CBS in more depth
What causes CBS?
CBS occurs when the brain fills in missing visual information due to reduced input, commonly after a deterioration in sight. It affects about one in five adults with sight loss, especially older adults. Though CBS can lessen over time, it can persist intermittently for years.
Managing CBS
Discussing symptoms openly with healthcare professionals can help understand symptoms. While there is no cure, knowing CBS is not a mental health issue offers reassurance, making symptoms easier to manage. Support groups and shared experiences can also provide relief and help reduce anxiety.
Five hints to help manage hallucinations:
- Stare straight at the hallucination. Looking directly hallucination can sometimes make it fade.
- Move your eyes. Look from left to right every second for 15–30 seconds, without moving your head. Repeat a few times if needed.
- Stand up and move about. Moving to a different room, or simply standing up can sometimes make them disappear.
- Change what you're doing. Hallucinations often appear when you’re still and unoccupied. Turning on the TV or radio can help.
- Reach out and touch it. Try touching the hallucination or brushing it away with your hand.
How we can help
We’re here to give you the advice you want, the support you need, the way you choose:
Read more about Charles Bonnet syndrome. Our understanding hallucinations booklets is available in various formats. Call our Helpline if you’d like a copy in braille.
Call us on 0303 123 9999 (8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays). Our team of Eye Health experts are on hand to answer your questions and direct you to the help and support you need.
Join a Talk and Support group. There are weekly groups for people with Charles Bonnet syndrome to meet others in a similar situation and gain peer support. If you would like to attend one of these groups, then please email us at [email protected].
Visit Esme's Umbrella for more in-depth information about CBS and the support available https://charlesbonnetsyndrome.uk/
Support for professionals
Join us for our Charles Bonnet syndrome Lunch and Learn session
If you are a professional working in health and social care, join our Lunch and Learn session for an introduction to Charles Bonnet syndrome. The session looks at what the condition is, and the impact is has on delivering care. Our RNIB Health and Social Care Training team looks forward to welcoming professionals from across the sector on Monday 18 Nov at 12pm.
Images of carers attentively sitting round a table learning core skills at one of RNIB's lunch and learn training sessions.
Tip cards and guides
We have put together a selection of resources that can help you provide practical support for individuals with Charles Bonnet syndrome.
Download our card for top tips on supporting someone with the condition.
If you support someone who has lost sight, you can find resources to help support individuals with diagnosis and management of this syndrome.
We also offer range of sessions on Charles Bonnet syndrome and other eye conditions and complex needs throughout the year. To find out more, visit our training page.
For more tips, visit our webpage for Health and Social Care Professionals or email us on [email protected].
In this campaign
More information on Charles Bonnet syndrome
Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) causes people with sight loss to see images that aren’t there. Medically, these are known as hallucinations. Find out more.
Visit the Esme’s Umbrella website
Esme’s Umbrella offers a safe shelter for anyone living with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, as a charity its mission is to illuminate the lesser-known aspects of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, providing insights, coping strategies, and a sense of belonging.
For care professionals: Join us for our Charles Bonnet Syndrome Lunch and Learn session
Join our experts in the RNIB Health and Social Care Training team on Monday 18 Nov at12pm for an overview of Charles Bonnet Syndrome is and the effect on vision. This session is suitable for health and social care professionals.
Join one of our Talk and Support sessions
Our community connection Talk and Support sessions gives you opportunities to connect and share experiences with others experiencing Charles Bonnet syndrome. You can also find advice on how to look after your wellbeing.