Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: jeg29 on 14/11/2006 22:52:56

Title: What am I seeing with my eyes closed?
Post by: jeg29 on 14/11/2006 22:52:56

I've been wondering, when I close my eyes and in any room brightness, I still see some kind of vision "noise" for a lack of another word for it. It can be all sorts of shapes or spots waves of lines, even different colors, all kinds of things. I'm wondering if this is my subconscience mind making this vision or what? I've tried to imagine things and try to "see" them, and though I can change the patterns a bit by closing my eyes tighter and things like that, I really seem to be more a spectator of what I see and not an author. Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about, or any ideas on what causes this?

Title: Re: What am I seeing with my eyes closed?
Post by: iko on 14/11/2006 23:36:04

Hi jeg29,
I am not your expert, but I know that the 'virtual' images you are referring to
are called phosphenes.  Some are produced by gentle pressure on the eye bulbs.
Enjoy your research!

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.math.utah.edu%2F%7Ebresslof%2FPhosphene.jpg&hash=de7c3916743ed64e2ac769a49ef578c0)
http://www.math.utah.edu/~bresslof/Phosphene.jpg

ikod

Title: Re: What am I seeing with my eyes closed?
Post by: ScouseLad on 17/11/2006 11:07:01

everybody gets this... like flashing lights an patterns when you shut your eyes sometimes

Title: Re: What am I seeing with my eyes closed?
Post by: jeg29 on 19/11/2006 08:27:51

I know everyone sees this but I really haven't got a real answer to what the "Closed Eyes Phenomenon" is. I think that this is so personal and subtle that most people don't really think about what they are seeing when they shut their eyes.
Chris. Can you ask around and see what your friends comes up with. I'm really interested now.  Thanks