Mind’s eye at work: Case series on Charles Bonnet syndrome
Markanday Sharma, Mangal Murti, Amit Chail, Aaditya Pisharadi
Industrial Psychiatry Journal September 25, 2026 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_444_25 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case series Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 3 |
| Population | Individuals with partial or severe vision loss and complex visual hallucinations: an elderly woman with diabetic retinopathy, a man with occipital infarction, and a man with bilateral cataracts |
| Key findings | The authors argue that Charles Bonnet syndrome is relatively common in people with ocular or visual pathway disorders yet frequently goes unrecognized or is mistaken for psychosis, particularly in the elderly. They present three cases, including one whose hallucinations resolved after cataract surgery, to illustrate the need for clinical awareness, differentiation from psychiatric conditions, and patient-centered education to reduce distress and prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. |
Abstract
Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) manifests as complex visual hallucinations in individuals with partial or severe vision loss who otherwise retain normal cognition and insight, without evidence of psychiatric or neurological disease. Although relatively common among patients with ocular or visual pathway disorders, CBS often goes unrecognized or is mistaken for psychosis, particularly in the elderly. This case series presents three distinct presentations—an elderly woman with diabetic retinopathy, a man with occipital infarction, and another with bilateral cataracts whose hallucinations resolved following surgery. These cases underscore the need for greater clinical awareness, accurate differentiation from psychiatric conditions, and patient-centered education to alleviate distress. Early identification of CBS, especially in low-resource and aging populations, can prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.