If you close your eyes and rub them, what do you see?

[masraum]

When you rub your eyes, what do you see? At first I see some colors, but if I keep rubbing and try to "look at" or "see" the colors, they become geometric patterns almost like you might see when looking into a kaleidoscope.

On a related note, I'd noticed in the past, that if I close my eyes, and then lightly press on the eyelid, that I see a colored spot roughly opposite when I'm pressing. I assume that has to do with the fact that our vision is normally upside down, but our brain naturally fixes it so we perceive it right-side up. I've always assumed that the pressure from where I press causes some sort of visual anomaly which the brain then flips over because that's what it always does.

Back to the patterns that develops when I rub my eyes. I think I remember seeing the kaleidoscope like patterns when I was a kid and closed my eyes, possibly without rubbing them. Over the years, I've formed the theory that the rubbing causes the colors due to pressure and movement, then the brain tries to fit the information that it's receiving from the eyes into something it knows, and the best that it can come up with is geometric patterns.

I can get a similar effect by just pressing on my eyes. I'll initially get colors that are usually dark red, and if I keep pressing with constant pressure, the colors will intensify and get brighter. I also get some movement in the colors, but not usually the same distinct geometric kaleidoscope patterns.

I remember reading an article written by someone that was blind. I'm not sure if they were born blind or became blind. I remember thinking that they had been able to see and then went blind. What I remember of the article was that everyone assumed that blind folks lived in darkness, but that this person said that they always see colors all of the time, and that what they see is bright and always there to the point that it actually makes it difficult for them to sleep.

My assumption is that this is kind of like the visual version of tinnitus. My understanding of tinnitus is that the brain is expecting input in a certain range of frequencies. When it stops receiving input on some ranges, it cranks the gain all of the way up trying to amplify a "weak signal" and what that does to us is essentially creates a really high noise floor at those frequencies that we've got damaged/lost hearing. My assumption is that the article about the blind person is essentially where the brain is trying to amplify a signal and creating the visual version of what folks with tinnitus hear. I think that's loosely related to my brain trying to make sense of the colors from rubbing the eyes and causing them to be perceived as geometric patterns (where there are no triangles, squares or straight lines).

[Heel n Toe]

I discovered this when I was a kid (pressing on my eyes). I didn't do it much (maybe 10-20 times for 2-3 minutes each time) as I figured there might possibly be long term damage from the increased pressure. This was before I had heard of glaucoma.

[A930Rocket]

I was thinking about posting this very topic recently. When I rub my eyes I see sparkles and colors.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I was thinking about posting this very topic recently. When I rub my eyes I see sparkles and colors.

Yep, sounds similar except that the colors/sparkles turn into geometric patterns after a bit.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

I discovered this when I was a kid (pressing on my eyes). I didn't do it much (maybe 10-20 times for 2-3 minutes each time) as I figured there might possibly be long term damage from the increased pressure. This was before I had heard of glaucoma.

Yeah, that's when I noticed it, and I don't do the "pressing" much either.

On a related note, from what I understand when you get older, the rubbing can potentially lead to vitreous detachment (apparently happens to everyone eventually) or worst case retinal tearing.

[RANDY P]

Racism

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Racism

ROLFMAO!

Thanks for that.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

[fintstone]

Do you do peyote before rubbing your eyes?

[Tobra]

I see this. I just noticed, that could be her outfit from when she was a cheerleader in HS, right colors.



If I was just 5 years older, she would have been my babysitter. Not sure if that would be good or bad, but I can't imagine how it possibly could be bad.


Why are you guys rubbing your eyes so much?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Do you do peyote before rubbing your eyes?

I've never had any sort of drug or hallucinogen.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yeah, that's when I noticed it, and I don't do the "pressing" much either.

On a related note, from what I understand when you get older, the rubbing can potentially lead to vitreous detachment (apparently happens to everyone eventually) or worst case retinal tearing.

I thought rubbing something else made your eyes go funny.

Either way, pharmaceuticals is the best way to see colors, I’m told.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Do you do peyote before rubbing your eyes?

I probably would if I could find it. It makes for a nice high, according to my recollections from the 1970s.

Yes, I see stuff when I rub my eyes and the stuff gets more interesting the more you pay attention to it. Steve, you apparently don't need drugs.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by masraum

I've never had any sort of drug or hallucinogen.

What a shame

[GG Allin]

If anyone sees entities, mechanical elves or self dribbling basketballs talking to them, let me know.

for reference:

https://youtu.be/_zgtw2_ypB4

[Solamar]

Yep, I'm in the geometric shapes camp. First noticed it a few years back. Fine octagonal patterns, but I don't dwell on it, and typically stop rubbing my eyes when I notice it.

[911 Rod]

Good that I’m stoned right now as this is a deep conversation.
After taking a pebble to the eye this summer that scared the s##t out of me thinking I’d lose the eye, no way I’m digging in there and rubbing my eyes for the thrill of colours.

[herr_oberst]

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Solamar

Yep, I'm in the geometric shapes camp. First noticed it a few years back. Fine octagonal patterns, but I don't dwell on it, and typically stop rubbing my eyes when I notice it.

I think mine are mostly triangular, but it's hard to tell because they aren't static.

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Good that I’m stoned right now as this is a deep conversation.
After taking a pebble to the eye this summer that scared the s##t out of me thinking I’d lose the eye, no way I’m digging in there and rubbing my eyes for the thrill of colours.

I don't press them that hard, and I don't do it for fun or often. Occasionally, I rub my eyes (maybe they itch, maybe they're tired, whatever), and when I do...

[herr_oberst]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphene