Seeing More Than Sight Loss: Charles Bonnet Syndrome at the Ophthalmology-Psychiatry Interface
Anes Harid
Journal of the Foundations of Ophthalmology October 10, 2026 DOI: 10.48089/jfo7689190 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Charles Bonnet syndrome shows the eye and mind cannot be treated as separate systems. The authors contend that the common 'release' or deafferentation explanation—reduced visual input leaving the visual cortex under-stimulated, with spontaneous activity experienced as images—is incomplete unless linked to lived experience. |
Abstract
Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is one of the clearest examples of why the eye and the mind cannot be treated as separate systems. It describes recurrent visual hallucinations in people with visual impairment, usually with preserved insight and without hallucinations in other sensory modalities, dementia or primary psychosis. The hallucinations may be simple shapes, colours or patterns, or complex images of faces, animals, figures, landscapes and scenes. They may last minutes or hours, appear suddenly, and be moving or still. The mechanism is commonly explained through “release” or deafferentation: when reduced visual input leaves the visual cortex under-stimulated, spontaneous activity may be experienced as images. Yet this explanation, though reassuring, is incomplete unless it is linked to lived experience.