THIS week, I am sharing with you an online event on Charles Bonnet Syndrome, hosted by Sight Advice South Lakes.

This is a common condition experienced by people with sight loss. It causes sufferers of partial sight loss to see things that aren’t really there, like hallucinations. This can be frightening for the individual, their friends and family.

RNIB (2019) shared research suggesting that when you see real things around you, the information received from the eye stops the brain from creating its own pictures. When the level of vision deteriorates, the brain receives insufficient information and fills in gaps by releasing new fantasy pictures, previously-stored patterns or old pictures.

It is very important to remember that the hallucinations are caused by sight loss and are not a sign of a mental health condition.

Sight Advice is working in partnership with the national charity Esme’s Umbrella, run by Judith Potts. Judith works tirelessly to boost understanding of the condition and encourage research. She will present on Charles Bonnet Syndrome - there will be time for a Q & A tackling how individuals can seek support.

This event is on Monday June 8 at 2pm through Zoom. There is also an option to join the session by telephone for those without internet access. For details or help accessing Zoom, please contact: Jackie.Bateman@mbht.nhs.uk or 01539 769055.

The Zoom meeting details are: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81223104564). Access by phone 0203 481 5237 and enter the meeting code: 812 2310 4564. Online places limited to 100, a recording will be available after the event.