You might be seeing a pulse in your vision due to white blood cells navigating the tiny blood vessels in your eyes.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
-
The Phenomenon: When you stare at a bright, uniform background (like a clear blue sky), you may notice small, moving dots or squiggly lines. These are sometimes described as looking like "little worms" or "floaters." The key characteristic related to your question is that their movement often appears to synchronize with your heartbeat.
-
What's Actually Happening: These moving dots are likely white blood cells traveling through the capillaries in your retina. Because capillaries are so small, the white blood cells sometimes need to stretch and deform to squeeze through. This makes them visible.
-
The "Pulse" Connection: You perceive the movement as pulsing because the flow of blood through these vessels is directly influenced by your heartbeat. The increased pressure from each heartbeat causes a slight acceleration in the movement of the white blood cells, creating the sensation of a pulse.
-
Where You're Most Likely to See It: This effect is most noticeable when you're looking at a uniform, brightly lit surface. A clear blue sky is a classic example. This is because the lack of visual distractions allows you to focus more easily on the subtle movements within your eye.
-
Is It Normal? Seeing these pulsing dots is usually a normal physiological phenomenon and not a cause for concern. However, if you experience a sudden increase in the number of floaters, flashes of light, or a change in your vision, it's important to consult an eye doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
-
Differential Diagnosis: While seeing "pulsing" dots is usually benign, other conditions can cause visual disturbances that might feel similar. These include:
- Floaters: These are more stationary or drift slowly and are caused by debris in the vitreous humor (the gel-like substance filling the eye).
- Migraine Aura: Can cause shimmering lights, zig-zag lines, or temporary blind spots that may feel "pulsating."
In summary, the "pulse" you see in your vision is likely the effect of blood flow influenced by your heartbeat impacting the movement of white blood cells in the blood vessels of your eyes.
