501(c)(3) Nonprofit · North Carolina

Shining a Light on
Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Supporting individuals with low vision or blindness affected by CBS — through awareness, education, and community.

Our mission: to provide awareness, education, support, and information about Charles Bonnet Syndrome to those living with CBS, the medical community, research organizations, and the general public.

About Mary Carmel’s Light

Mary Carmel’s Light is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in North Carolina dedicated to supporting individuals with low vision or onset of blindness affected by Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS).

Founded by siblings Eva and Kevin Potts, the organization is a heartfelt response to their mother, Mary Carmel Potts McCoy, who lost her vision and experienced the devastating challenges of Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

We emphasize education, data collection, civil engagement, support group participation, and offering resources and tools to individuals living with CBS — along with their families, caregivers, and medical providers.

Our vision is dedicated to raising awareness for CBS and encouraging individuals to seek appropriate treatment and differential diagnosis without fear of misdiagnosis — empowering those with CBS to lead a life with dignity, grace, and inclusion.

Understanding CBS

Charles Bonnet Syndrome occurs when the brain no longer receives images from the eyes and compensates by generating its own — ranging from simple patterns to vivid, lifelike hallucinations that are purely visual and carry no auditory or tactile component.

CBS is not a mental health condition. It is a physiological response to vision loss, and it impacts people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

CBS is a physiological condition that impacts individuals with low vision or those who have lost their sight after having vision.

Silent hallucinations only. There are no auditory, tactile, or other sensory hallucinations that accompany the CBS experience.

CBS can arise from any cause of vision loss — eye diseases, accidents, injuries, or other conditions affecting vision.

CBS impacts both children and adults, regardless of gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

Adults with CBS are often misdiagnosed with Dementia, Schizophrenia, Lewy Body Dementia, Severe Bipolar Disorder, or Psychosis.

Children with CBS are often misdiagnosed with Dissociative Disorder, Autism, Schizoaffective Disorder, or Psychosis.

CBS presents without warning, causing fear, anxiety, and confusion for the person experiencing it and their loved ones.

CBS is NOT a mental health condition — your loved one is NOT “crazy” or mentally ill.

CBS must be assigned a specific billing code to ensure accurate diagnosis, treatment plans, and to support ongoing research efforts.

Who We Serve

People Experiencing CBS

Options and knowledge for those living with CBS or seeking a diagnosis for symptoms they or a loved one are experiencing.

Learn More

Caregivers, Family & Friends

Information about CBS, access to support groups, and consulting to help those caring for someone living with Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Find Resources

Medical Providers

Resources for professionals who diagnose, treat, and research CBS — including our open letter to the medical community.

For Providers

Mary Carmel

Mary Carmel was born on July 16, 1932 in Jersey City, NJ to Jack and Kitty Garvey. From the day she arrived, Mary was a curious human — always investigating her surroundings, reading any material she could get her hands on, and poking her nose into anything that caught her eye or interest.

Her curious nature served her well throughout her remarkable life. It is her strength, resilience, and spirit that inspired Eva and Kevin Potts to found this organization in her honor — so that no one else has to navigate Charles Bonnet Syndrome alone.

Discover Mary Carmel’s Story

Frequently Asked Questions

We cannot give you a medical referral, but we can assist you in your search for services, resources, and information.

Yes. You can click the Donate button at the top of the page or Donate Here.

It is neither. CBS is not a mental condition. CBS is a physiological condition with no auditory or tactile component. CBS causes the brain to create its own images to compensate for the lack of input from the eyes.

There are resources available for you. We can help you find one that fits your life and needs. CBS Support Group meets every Saturday at Noon 12:00 PM EDT, followed by the Caregiver Support Group at 1:00 PM EDT. Please call +1 (502) 439-0398 to join.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome is NOT new — it was originally discovered in 1760 by Swiss naturalist Charles Bonnet. It was not given its current name until 1967, when a French-Swiss neurologist coined the term in his honor. In 1989, the psychiatric world acknowledged the syndrome, and in 2019 the World Health Organization formally recognized CBS as a physiological condition and assigned it an ICD-11 code. However, in the US there is still a need for a dedicated medical billing code to ensure CBS can be properly diagnosed and treated.

Send Us a Message

Use the contact form below or reach us directly. We’re here to help.

Our Mailing Address

Mary Carmel’s Light
PO Box 2592
Indian Trail, NC 28079

Phone: 704-389-0160

Common Questions

We cannot give medical referrals, but we can connect you with services, resources, and information to help you navigate CBS.

To join our weekly support groups, call +1 (502) 439-0398 every Saturday at 12:00 PM EDT.

Shining a Light on Charles Bonnet Syndrome