Yes, seeing colors when you close your eyes is a common experience, often due to phosphenes.
What are Phosphenes?
Phosphenes are those images of light or color that you can see even when your eyes are closed. They are not caused by external light entering your eyes.
Causes of Phosphenes:
- Rubbing your eyes: This is a very common way to induce phosphenes. The pressure on your eyeballs stimulates the retinal cells.
- Coughing: The sudden changes in pressure in your body can also trigger phosphenes.
- Other physical actions: Actions that may cause sudden physical change can cause phosphenes.
- Head trauma: While less common, phosphenes can also be a sign of a more serious condition like a head injury. If your experience is related to a head injury or accompanied by other symptoms seek medical help.
What do Phosphenes Look Like?
Phosphenes can appear in various forms:
- Colors can include swirls, spots, or other shapes.
- They can appear as light or a color.
- The patterns are usually short-lived.
When to be Concerned:
While generally harmless, phosphenes can sometimes indicate a problem. It's wise to consult a healthcare professional if:
- The phosphenes are persistent or severe.
- They are accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches or dizziness.
- You experience them following a head injury.
Summary
| Phenomenon | Description | When to be concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphenes | Seeing light or color when eyes are closed. Commonly caused by eye rubbing, coughing or other physical changes. | Persistent, severe, accompanied by other symptoms, or following head trauma. |
In most cases, seeing colors when you close your eyes is a normal and harmless experience due to phosphenes. However, it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider if you have concerns.
