Charles Bonnet syndrome

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is named after the Swiss naturalist Charles Bonnet. In 1760 he described a condition in which vivid, complex visual hallucinations (fictive visual percepts) occur in mentally healthy people. He first documented it in his 87 year old grandfather, who was nearly blind from cataracts in both eyes but perceived men, women, birds, carriages, buildings, tapestries and scaffolding patterns. Most who are affected by this are people with visual impairments due to old age, damage to the eyes or optic pathways.

External resources

 * FAQ at RNIB
 * Fortean Times article on Charles Bonnet syndrome