From Dawn Wild, Bristol, UK
I was interested to read about Charles Bonnet syndrome, in which people who are losing their vision experience hallucinations (5 November, p 28).
At 92, my father had been losing his sight due to macular degeneration for some time. Travelling on a train from Andover to visit us in Bristol he became convinced that the other passengers were growing green beards and had green hair and very ugly faces.
On entering our lounge he saw little fires all over the floor and tried to put them out with his walking stick. I too was, he said, sprouting green hair and a beard (and I am his daughter).
We took him to hospital, where the doctor initially thought he had a urinary tract infection: but his mind was clear. She looked up his symptoms and diagnosed Charles Bonnet syndrome, while he saw birds and monkeys flying through the hospital.
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Having been assured he was not “mad” he was able to cope with the hallucinations. It is reassuring to know of this research, since the manifestations were frightening.
