Charles Bonnet Syndrome storyline to feature on TV soap opera

Charles Bonnet Syndrome storyline to feature on TV soap opera

February 2021

A character in popular TV soap opera Coronation Street will admit to experiencing visual hallucinations, known as Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS).

In next week’s episodes, a character called Johnny Connor, will admit to having the hallucinations which are caused by sight loss – helping to raise vital awareness of the condition, which often leaves people unnecessarily worried about their mental health.

Viewers of the programme will learn more about CBS as the character admits to seeing things such as mice, cockroaches and a ginger cat.

The character, who has multiple sclerosis in the programme, has started noticing a deterioration in his eyesight due to his condition.

The actor playing Johnny Connor, Richard Hawley, spoke to the Sun about the storyline.

He said: “Once you have a diagnosis of Charles Bonnet syndrome things can get a little better simply because you know what it is.

“What happens is your brain makes up images because it is not getting enough information because of reduced eyesight. There is no attendant feeling of anything else. It is just simply hallucination, it can be an unpleasant one or it could be a pleasant one or both.”

Charles Bonnet hallucinations can range from simple flashes of light, colours or shapes to more disturbing images such as disembodied faces and strange figures.

Up to half of all people with macular degeneration are thought to experience Charles Bonnet Syndrome at some time.