That's quite a noticeable change in vision in a short time, and it's completely understandable to feel concerned and want to know more about what's happening.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is actually more common in people with AMD than many realize. It causes visual hallucinations — things like dots, patterns, or even Show Full Answer
That's quite a noticeable change in vision in a short time, and it's completely understandable to feel concerned and want to know more about what's happening.
Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is actually more common in people with AMD than many realize. It causes visual hallucinations — things like dots, patterns, or even more complex images — that aren't really there. It happens because when the eyes lose vision, the brain sometimes "fills in the gaps" by generating its own images.
Here are some key things to know about CBS:
- It is not a sign of a mental health issue — it's a neurological response to vision loss
- The hallucinations can range from simple (dots, shapes) to more complex (faces, scenes)
- It tends to be more noticeable in low light
- Symptoms can come and go over time
- Staying engaged and active may help reduce episodes
Many myAMDteam members have shared experiences with CBS, so you're definitely not alone in this.
The most important step is to keep communicating openly with your retinal specialist about all your symptoms, including the dots and any vision changes. Don't hesitate to push for answers if something doesn't feel right — your concerns absolutely matter.
June 26
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