[George Pope]

George Pope  asked the Naked Scientists:

   

Why is it that when you look into any type of light for a long period of time that blotches of black appear when you look away?



What do you think?

[RD]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterimage#Negative_afterimages

[Ashia]

What does it mean when the blotches last unusually long and/or are triggered by relatively dim flashes (ie:the shine off of a clean car or a traffic light).

[RD]

What does it mean when the blotches last unusually long and/or are triggered by relatively dim flashes (ie:the shine off of a clean car or a traffic light).

Drugs (prescribed or "street") or disease which delays/restricts pupils constricting could be responsible ...

Light streaking
Light streaking describes a comet-like tail which is seen due to motion between a person or a light. The streaking usually persists for several seconds before fading and often occurs with bright lights on a dark background. Patients commonly report of difficulty with night driving since the headlights of oncoming cars cause multiple streaks which obscure vision.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_palinopsia#Light_streaking

[kittyfield]

so when I'm behind a car in line and they have their brake lights on I see bright blue spots where there should be white. why not red?