Charles Bonnet Syndrome: Understanding the Rare Visual Condition

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a rare visual condition where individuals with partial or complete vision impairment experience complex and vivid visual hallucinations. It is a neuro-ophthalmological condition that affects people of all ages, but older adults are at a higher risk. Symptoms include seeing patterns, shapes, dots, lines, people, animals, objects, landscapes, and more, which can last for minutes or hours. Research suggests that CBS occurs when the visual system fails to create new images due to age-related macular degeneration or other visual disorders.

July 02, 2025 - Alcon, a global leader in eye care, has announced its intention to acquire LumiThera, Inc., a pioneer in light-based innovations for ophthalmology, and its photobiomodulation (PBM) device for the treatment of early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This strategic move aims to expand Alcon's offerings in the clinic, helping millions of people living with dry AMD gain vision.

Dry AMD is a progressive disease with limited treatment options, leading to significant unmet need. Alcon's acquisition of LumiThera and its PBM device underscores its commitment to addressing this critical area. The PBM device is the only technology that has demonstrated meaningful visual improvement with two years of treatments in early and intermediate dry AMD patients [1].

LumiThera's PBM device uses low-level light to stimulate mitochondrial energy production, promoting retinal cellular health. The non-invasive treatments are administered in a clinic setting, with no reported treatment-related serious adverse events. The pivotal LIGHTSITE III study, conducted at 10 sites across the U.S., showed that PBM treatments provide visual acuity improvement, with nearly 88% of patients maintaining or gaining vision versus baseline at Month 24 [1].

Sean Clark, Vice President and General Manager of Global Surgical Franchise at Alcon, stated, "Dry AMD is an area of significant unmet need, and PBM is an efficacious, non-invasive light therapy that can provide visual improvement for patients with early and intermediate disease. With Alcon’s global commercial and clinical expertise, we have the potential to make this therapy more broadly available to Eye Care Professionals and their patients, while continuing to strengthen its body of clinical evidence."

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and a LumiThera shareholder vote, with an anticipated completion in the third quarter of 2025. Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of its filing, and Alcon assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise [1].

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250702399355/en/Alcon-to-Acquire-LumiThera-and-Its-Photobiomodulation-Device-for-the-Treatment-of-Early-and-Intermediate-Dry-Age-Related-Macular-Degeneration-AMD