Introduction to Esme's Umbrella and Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Hello, my name is Judith Potts. I am the founder of Esme's Umbrella, which is the campaign to raise awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome. So today I'm going to answer some of the questions that people ask me all the time. First of all, what is Charles Bonnet Syndrome? Well, this is a condition which can develop when someone of any age, children are not exempt, has lost over 60% of sight. That is halfway down that chart that you are asked to read at the optician or the optometrist. Charles Bonnet syndrome causes vivid, silent visual hallucinations which range from disturbing to terrifying. It is very important to remember that this is not a mental health condition but caused entirely by loss of sight.