Eli5 why does pressing my palms against my eyes create a kaleidoscope effect?
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You are putting enough physical pressure on the nerves to trigger them. The amount of pressure isn’t consistent across your eye, so the signals they send are semi random flashes that change in response to where the pressure is concentrated in your eye.
Your eye really isn’t built for that though, the pressure can cause damage to the nerves and physical structure of your eye that isn’t always easily healed, so you really shouldn’t push on your eyes.
The way I was always taught was that by pressing on your eyes, you’re increasing the pressure on your retinas, and cutting off circulation to the nerves the same way as when your leg falls asleep… It’s the visual equivalent of that ‘pins and needles’ feeling.
The difference is that your retina is much more oxygen-hungry than a random leg nerve and you can cause permanent damage if you do it too much.
You are putting enough physical pressure on the nerves to trigger them. The amount of pressure isn’t consistent across your eye, so the signals they send are semi random flashes that change in response to where the pressure is concentrated in your eye.
Your eye really isn’t built for that though, the pressure can cause damage to the nerves and physical structure of your eye that isn’t always easily healed, so you really shouldn’t push on your eyes.
You are putting enough physical pressure on the nerves to trigger them. The amount of pressure isn’t consistent across your eye, so the signals they send are semi random flashes that change in response to where the pressure is concentrated in your eye.
Your eye really isn’t built for that though, the pressure can cause damage to the nerves and physical structure of your eye that isn’t always easily healed, so you really shouldn’t push on your eyes.
The part of your brain connected to your eyes only understands seeing, so when they feel something instead, your brain interprets that as colors
The part of your brain connected to your eyes only understands seeing, so when they feel something instead, your brain interprets that as colors
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