With the New Year comes a new round of Sight Loss Explained sessions, Southampton Sight’s one-stop, no nonsense groups aimed at demystifying and explaining every day eye conditions. From Age-related Macular Degeneration to Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy to Retinitis Pigmentosa, each month’s meetings unpack the medical mumbo jumbo, detailing the why’s and whatnots of sight loss in plain English, and giving some helpful advice along the way.
January saw the debut session for Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), an often misunderstood and overlooked side effect of vision loss affecting the full spectrum of eye complaints. Defined by visual anomalies ranging from the occasional flicker of light to full blown hallucinations, CBS can be both fascinating and confusing, delightful and disturbing. Often made more prevalent through anxiety and distress, CBS is not a mental health issue but if left unidentified can leave those living with the condition feeling isolated and alone.
Thursday’s session not only debunked the myths of the condition but allowed attendees to talk openly and honestly about their experiences, share help and advice on how to deal with the symptoms on a daily basis, and generally feel more at ease with what it is to live with CBS.
With support from Esme’s Umbrella, the national charity dedicated to spreading the word on this still under researched syndrome, the 2-hour meeting of minds was a tremendous success! A massive thank you to all those who attended and contributed so much to the conversation.
Next on the calendar will be Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)– scheduled for Thursday, 6th March at 10am. If you or someone you know would like to attend for coffee, company and conversation on all things AMD please contact us at support@southamptonsight.org.uk, or call us on 023 8076 9882 to be added to the attendee list, thank you.
Photo Description: Attendees at the CBS Sight Loss Explained sitting around tables.
