Closing your Eyes and Seeing Weird Swirling Shapes

-by Ishita Mondal

–Reading Time – 7 min Approx

–Edited by – Srishti Bhattacharyya

Have you ever paid attention to what see when you close your eyes? Most of the time, with closed eyes, we see weird swirling shapes. It seems to move circularly with a bright hue around it, and these colorful swirling shapes often make us perplexed about what it is. Surprisingly, since early childhood, these shapes happen to be our constant companions. But only a few of us want to go into the detail of it.

Our curiosity about the swirling shapes behind the closed eyes remains limited to the mid-day thoughts or before-sleep stray thoughts. When we spend much leisure time, we tend to think about why the shapes come all the way to cover our vision when we close our eyes. You too must have thought about it.

Well, here we are with a detailed reason for it. So, before you are closing your eyes and seeing weird swirling shapes again, read it out. It will help you to get some excellent insight into these things. From the detailed definition to the cause – you will find every nook of the factor described. So unique human psychology is! How diverse its aspects are! Let’s delve into one of its most exciting facts – which is closing your eyes and seeing weird swirling shapes.

Closing Your Eyes and Seeing Swirling Shapes – What is it:

Our brains and eyes are two of the most sensitive parts of human anatomy. They are likely to be awake all day long. Even if you try to lull them to sleep, they tend to remain alarmed. That is why when you close your eyes and the light goes off in front of them, they do not shut off. With exceptional energy and active vigor, they continue their work, and your pretty brain supports them as their partner in crime.

They bring in flashes and splashes of colors on a blackish background, thus, we see the swirling shapes. The term for these common yet interesting phenomena is phosphene. It is one of those closed-eye hallucinations that we often face.

Whether during closing eyes to get some relaxed moments or to avoid the bright light, phosphene can occur any time. This visual hallucination is an entirely natural phenomenon, although it sometimes may result from medical conditions too. In that case, it may have some odd effects. We will come to that later. Now, let us describe the phenomenon in detail. In brief, phosphene includes swirling shapes with bright colors imprinted on black backgrounds.

So, how do you explain the black background? Well, let us inform you that  It is not black. Although we name the absence of light as black, the color of the background in phosphene is eigengrau. It is a German word that means “deep grey”. Whether you are in darkness with your eyes open or closed, you will see this color when your eyes are deprived of light. We do not see true black. Instead, we see eigengrau as without light; you cannot share the absolute contrast of black. Nonetheless, eigengrau is not a dynamic color, including different shades of grey in it.

How Do You Explain It:

Well, enough of intricate terms and details! Let’s make it simple. When you close your eyes and are not sleeping, your visual system works as a recording camera with a cap on its lens. What happens when a camera is on with capped lens? It records and stores the data, although they are not so significant. Like this, our eyes also work. It records the stimuli, or the lack of it, and transmits sensitive impulses through the channels of the optic nerve to the brain. All these impulses are compiled into visual images.

As per the research, people who are blind since birth cannot experience phosphenes, whereas people who are accidentally blind still experience it. This study opened up a new door to the research of phosphene. Previously, it was said that is the retinal impulses that come as a response to Zero light. But now, as per the recent study, it occurs in response to a self-generated light. If it would have been associated with zero light, blind (since birth) people could also see that. That’s how science explains it.

Along with natural occurrences, it often occurs as a result of some medical conditions as well. Are you interested to know about them? Let’s delve into the possible causes that may lead to closing your eyes and seeing swirling shapes.

Why Does it Happen:

Yes, the moving visual circles can be a result of some medical condition. One of the most severe health conditions among them is Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Due to this syndrome, you may see swirling visions along with many other visual hallucinations, it may also be a recurring process. Usually, it lasts for more than 12-14 months every time it appears. However, the duration of each hallucination may vary. Sometimes it is just for a few seconds, sometimes it is for hours. Continuous occurrence of this syndrome may lead to a more severe health condition like “Phantom Vision.”

Also, Hypernatremia may be another reason for seeing swirling images and other closed-eye hallucinations. Although the significant effect of this disease is low sodium levels in the blood, hallucination can result from this. You may also feel weak and experience confusion and seizures due to this health condition.

Along with fear, confusion, and drowsiness, hallucination is another effect to be experienced after a prolonged surgery. As per the study, after surgery people often experience swirling visuals if they close their eyes for long hours. Post-surgery conditions may be another reason for the swirling visions. It may be due to a reaction to lidocaine although hallucination is not a proven side effect for lidocaine. For your information, lidocaine is a numbing agent used in different surgeries and dental procedures.

Are Phosphenes Dangerous?

So, now you know the reasons behind seeing things with your eyes closed. Some people often ask questions like are phosphene dangerous? Well, it is, as we discussed, a natural phenomenon that happens with nearly every human being. For some exceptional cases, it may occur due to some health issues. As per the reports till now, it is not harmful. However, seeing swirling images for a long time may result in blank thoughts, headaches, etc. So, if you are experiencing phosphene more than usual, it is better to visit a specialist at the earliest.

Are Phosphenes with Eyes Wide Open Possible?

Yes! It is possible. Is it normal to see phosphene with open eyes? – Such questions are quite common nowadays. Usually, phosphenes occur with closed eyes. But, in old age or after coming out of trauma, you may see the swirling visuals or splashes of lights with open eyes. Also, it has been seen among diabetic patients. If you are addicted to alcohol, you are likely to see swirling visuals with open eyes. Along with alcohol abuse, drug abuse is also a reason that causes swirling visuals. Both of the conditions weaken the nervous system and affect the body and mind. So, naturally swirling visions may appear.

Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease may also cause the occurrence of phosphene with open eyes. As such diseases are directly related to our mental health, they may invite such troubles. Parkinson’s disease causes stiffness and slow movement. Alongside this, it affects mental health badly. Out of these disorders, people suffering from this disease may see weird swirling patterns with open eyes.

Similarly, Alzheimer’s disease may reduce the ability to think and increases the risks of forgetfulness. And, as a side effect, it causes open-eye hallucinations like seeing swirling shapes. Schizophrenic people are also likely to experience it. It is one of the most severe brain disorders that have been discovered till now. The symptoms are delusions, hallucinations, fumbling, troubled thinking, and so on.

So, you can experience phosphene with open eyes. Although it is not harmful, it may hint at some severe health conditions. So, if you see such swirling visuals with open eyes, consult with a doctor. You may also visit a general physician for a thorough check-up.

Closed Eye Hallucinations: Learn the Levels:

Seeing swirling shapes is not the only example of closed-eye hallucination. Some people experience a sprinkle of lights when they close their eyes. On the other hand, some see random pixels. It is also not surprising if somebody sees objects like a house, tree, human being, etc. However, there is some detailed explanation of closed-eye hallucination in medical science.

CEV or Closed Eye Visualizations include five different levels. The first level is experiencing visual noise. The second is seeing light or dark flashes. The third one is observing different patterns, motions, and colors. Level 4 is a notable state. In this stage, thoughts take the shape of various objects or environments. The final level includes physical perceptions.

Sometimes, people confuse closed-eye hallucination with some other visual disorders. For example, if you experience symptoms of blue-sky sprites, do not associate it with closed-eye hallucinations. It is another visual condition in which people see dots while looking at the bright blue, sunny sky.

The condition of image burn-in should not be confused with closed eye visualizations. It is a condition that occurs after you look at some bright object. It usually lasts for few minutes and then goes away forever. On the other hand, closed-eye hallucinations do not disappear so easily.

The Takeaway-What Do you See with Closed Eyes:

So, as discussed, closing your eyes and seeing swirling visions with closed eyes occur as a natural response from the retina. Except for some health conditions, there is no harmful effect of this form of closed-eye hallucination. Along with it, other kinds of hallucinations are also there to blow your mind with special effects.

Was this helpful for you? What do you see when you close your eyes? Let us know in the comments!

   -by Ishita Mondal

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