Investigating Charles Bonnet Syndrome in children

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) produces vivid, silent, visual hallucinations which range from disturbing to terrifying. For some people the hallucinations can be of swathes of colour, or patterns, words, grids, maps or musical notes. Other images seen are more complex. These can be of animals, insects, reptiles, rodents, children, people (both real-size or tiny – often dressed in costume), buildings, vehicles, flora and fauna, or whole scenes.

 

CBS is caused entirely by loss of sight and is not a mental health condition. It was previously thought children did not suffer from this condition but this has been found to be false.  Yet the incidence of CBS amongst children in the UK is unknown.  

 

Thomas Pocklington Trust is currently funding a research project to investigate this. 

 

In this episode of The Blind Spot on CBS Awareness Day we are joined by Judith Potts, trustee at TPT and founder of Esme's Umbrella - the campaign to raise awareness of CBS, source funding for research and create ways to support people who develop the condition.

 

Professor Mariya Moosajee, Professor of Molecular Ophthalmology at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Francis Crick Institute, and Dr Lee Jones, Research Fellow at Moorfields Eye Hospital, report on their research into the incidence of CBS in children.

 

And we hear from Nina Chesworth who shares her experiences of living with CBS. 

For more information around CBS visit: www.charlesbonnetsyndrome.uk

Transcript of this podcast