Am I Hallucinating? In previous months, we've discussed many of the common eye problems that can cause vision los.. cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc. This month, we'll cover something that is less common, but also very interesting and important. Ask A What is Charles Bonnet Syndrome? This phenomenon occurs in people who have lost some vision in one or both eyes (due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc.). These patients can experience complex visual hallucinations, where they see things that are not really there. These hallucinations are often pleasant and unthreatening images, and the patients know that they are not really there. The hallucinations occur off and on in the eye that has lost vision. Many of these patients often think they are going crazy, as they are seeing hallucinations out of their blind eye. They are usually NOT going crazy, they are simply experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome! Jen Keller O.D. the Doctor What do people see during these hallucinations? People can see just about anything during these hallucinations. I have a blind patient who described well-dressed children who followed her around; she was not afraid of the children watching her, because she knew they were not really there. I had another patient who reported PARK RAPIDS WALKER EYE CLINIC seeing a field of black and gray flowers that scared her at first, but she was not afraid once she realized they were not really there. A third patient has described seeing beautiful purple flowers on the trees outside his house, in the middle of winter. It's important to be aware of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, especially if you have friends or family who have lost considerable vision in one or both eyes. It can be very comforting to these people to talk about their hallucinations, and they are usually very relieved to learn that they are not going crazy! In 2005 I published an article on Charles Bonnet Syndrome for an international Optometry/Ophthalmology journal; if you would like a copy of this article or if you have any questions on Charles Bonnet Syndrome, please let me know! 100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666 Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D. 1-877-700-3389 www.prweyeclinic.com Am I Hallucinating? In previous months, we've discussed many of the common eye problems that can cause vision los.. cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc. This month, we'll cover something that is less common, but also very interesting and important. Ask A What is Charles Bonnet Syndrome? This phenomenon occurs in people who have lost some vision in one or both eyes (due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc.). These patients can experience complex visual hallucinations, where they see things that are not really there. These hallucinations are often pleasant and unthreatening images, and the patients know that they are not really there. The hallucinations occur off and on in the eye that has lost vision. Many of these patients often think they are going crazy, as they are seeing hallucinations out of their blind eye. They are usually NOT going crazy, they are simply experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome! Jen Keller O.D. the Doctor What do people see during these hallucinations? People can see just about anything during these hallucinations. I have a blind patient who described well-dressed children who followed her around; she was not afraid of the children watching her, because she knew they were not really there. I had another patient who reported PARK RAPIDS WALKER EYE CLINIC seeing a field of black and gray flowers that scared her at first, but she was not afraid once she realized they were not really there. A third patient has described seeing beautiful purple flowers on the trees outside his house, in the middle of winter. It's important to be aware of Charles Bonnet Syndrome, especially if you have friends or family who have lost considerable vision in one or both eyes. It can be very comforting to these people to talk about their hallucinations, and they are usually very relieved to learn that they are not going crazy! In 2005 I published an article on Charles Bonnet Syndrome for an international Optometry/Ophthalmology journal; if you would like a copy of this article or if you have any questions on Charles Bonnet Syndrome, please let me know! 100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666 Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D. 1-877-700-3389 www.prweyeclinic.com