<i>'They're creepy creatures with human-like features'</i>: children's experiences of visual hallucinations in Charles Bonnet syndrome-a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) refers to the presence of visual hallucinations occurring secondary to visual impairment. The aim of this study was to understand the phenomenology of CBS in children and assess the emotional impact and support needs of patients and their families.

Design

Semistructured qualitative interview study.

Setting

UK.

Participants

Children (7-15 years) with an inherited retinal disease living with CBS and their parents.

Results

10 participants were recruited from six families (dyadic interviews n=4; parent-only interviews n=2). Thematic analysis identified five superordinate themes relating to experiences of CBS: (1) diagnosis journey, (2) hallucination phenomenology, (3) impact of hallucinations, (4) understanding and man

SUBMITTER: Jones L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12013589 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature