Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed?

Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed
Most of us have experienced it. You rub your closed eyes, or sneeze, and suddenly notice some flickers or sparks of light in your vision. But, by the time you open your eyes, they’re gone. These small lights are usually phosphenes, a visual phenomenon caused by mechanical stimuli resulting in pressure or tension on the eye when the eyelids are closed.

The internal lining of the eyeball is called the retina.
The retina’s job is to take visual information entering your eye through the pupil and convert this information into an electrical signal.
The electrical signal is then sent to the brain to provide us with the visual image we see of the world.
Phosphenes are generated by the retina after there’s some sort of stimulation, even with the eye closed.

Some activities that stimulate the retina in this way include:

sneezing standing up too quickly head trauma looking at the sky moving the eyes quickly

Usually, phosphenes are described as sparks, twinkling lights or pin-prick light shapes that can be brightly colored. Phosphenes will subside quickly, in less than a few seconds, and don’t cause any change to vision. Migraines and auras Visual patterns or sudden lights in your vision also can be caused by ocular migraines, or auras.

Auras generally last from 20 to 60 minutes and start slowly in one area of the vision. They grow over a course of minutes to cause a scotoma, or blind spot, with your eyes open or closed. Usually, auras precede a headache or migraine and have geometric-associated shapes and shimmering colors. After auras subside, vision will return to normal.

Retinal tears or detachment and photopsia Flashes of light, or photopsia, which occur with the eyes open or closed due to a retinal tear or detachment are due to mechanical tugging of the retina. This tugging can cause a tear in the retina, pulling away from the eyeball and causing a detachment.

These flashes are seen intermittently after development of a retina tear or detachment and usually don’t subside until it’s repaired.
The retina doesn’t sense any pain or discomfort; flashing lights can be one of the first signs that there’s a change in the retina.
Retinal tears and detachments are sight-threatening and need to be evaluated immediately by an eye doctor.

If you’re concerned about any lights you see in your vision or have new flashes of light, a thorough dilated eye exam is required. Even if you have no change in vision or don’t wear glasses or contact lenses, a yearly dilated eye exam is encouraged to evaluate the health of the retina before any problems develop.

What does it mean when you see blue lights?

Tattle Tale Lights: Have you noticed blue lights showing up in your area? Utah (ABC4 News) — Have you noticed blue flashing lights showing up next to stoplights in your neighborhood? Well, you’re not alone. Though they might be distracting, these bright blue lights are actually designed to keep people safe.

The flashing blue lights, officially referred to as “Tattle Tale Lights”, are usually positioned on or next to traffic lights and are designed to help traffic officers apprehend red light violators. Traditionally, when an officer sees someone run a red light they too then have to run the light to catch them.

However, Tattle Tale Lights allow officers to park down the road from the intersection, allowing them to see who is running the light without having to run it themselves. The lights are commonly attached to the traffic signals, typically on the opposite side of a traffic light, facing the opposite direction.

When the traffic light is red the lights flash blue, when the traffic light is green the blue lights are off. Utah traffic officials tell ABC4 the lights are typically attached to the traffic signal, cueing them to turn on and off. According to Kenneth Barrier, Traffic Signal/Electrical Supervisor for Salt Lake County, the lights are managed by the county they are installed in or by Utah Department of Transportation personnel.

According to Barrier, he manages 18 Tattle Tale Lights throughout Cottonwood Heights. “These tattle-tale lights are managed by Salt Lake County. There is not much management needed as these are on 24/7 as long as the bulb has not burned out. These are directly hard wired into the red LED terminal in the traffic signal head,” Barrier tells ABC4.

Barrier says he can only speak on the lights installed in Cottonwood Heights. He says the city that owns the intersections where lights are installed is who decides where and when to install the lights. ABC4 has reached out to multiple agencies across Utah where Tattle Tale Lights have been spotted, but police and traffic personnel say they didn’t know who installed the lights or what their purpose was.

Utahns say they have seen Tattle Tale Lights pop up in Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan, Holladay, and Salt Lake City. Have you seen a light near you? Let us know in the comments of the Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Is it normal to see colors when your eyes are closed?

Is there something wrong with us? – Seeing colours when you close your eyes is totally normal. It’s just part of the way your eyes work. Some people notice them, and some do not.

However, much more obvious phosphenes can occur in some,
If what you’re seeing has changed, and the patterns of light become much more noticeable or hang around for longer, it could indicate a problem.
For example, bright flashing can be caused by a detached retina, which is where your retina partially comes away from the back of your eyeball, and which needs to be treated as an emergency.

Also, some people get a “visual aura” when they have a particular kind of headache called a migraine. High pressure inside your eyeballs can also cause phosphenes. If what you’re seeing has drastically changed, or you’re worried about what you’re seeing, it’s best to visit your eye care provider, a doctor or an optometrist.

What to do when you see blue lights?

The resource for emergency service vehicle awareness on the roads. – Based on guidance contained within the Highway Code, Blue Light Aware is a resource containing short videos and animations, produced on behalf of the emergency services. Their crews rely on the help of other road users when they’re on a ‘blue light’ journey. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Play Video On a smart motorway, one or more lanes may be closed because of an incident ahead – you’ll know because of red X signs above the carriageway. Emergency vehicles will use these lanes if they can. Keep out of these red X lanes. If no lanes appear to be closed, you can help form what’s known as an emergency corridor, so be prepared to move to the right or the left. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Play Video At traffic lights emergency vehicles will find a way around you. If you’re first in the queue at a red light, stay where you are, and leave the emergency vehicle to find its way around you. Do not go past the stop line unless directed by a uniformed police officer. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Play Video If you hear a siren or see blue lights, stay calm. Look for somewhere safe to move left and stop. Keep going on the approach to a bend or on the brow of a hill – then pull over when there’s a better view ahead. Stay out of bus lanes, keep off kerbs and pavements, and don’t stop near traffic islands. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Play Video Highways authority and emergency vehicles occasionally stop in motorway and dual carriageway lanes, for example to protect stranded vehicles or to remove debris from the road. Watch for a red X gantry sign, or an instruction to move to another lane, and follow any signs displayed on the rear of the traffic vehicle. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Play Video In a solid white line system, an emergency vehicle will probably switch off its siren as it follows you. This is because the road layout doesn’t allow for a safe overtaking opportunity. So keep going – at the speed limit if it’s safe – until you’re clear of the solid white lines. Your clue to pull left and let it pass is when its siren goes back on. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Play Video

Is blue light serious?

Blue Light and Your Eyes Sunlight is made up of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet light. When combined, it becomes the white light we see. Each of these has a different energy and wavelength. Rays on the red end have longer wavelengths and less energy. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed The largest source of blue light is sunlight. In addition, there are many other sources:

Fluorescent light CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs LED light Flat screen LED televisions Computer monitors, smart phones, and tablet screens

Blue light exposure you receive from screens is small compared to the amount of exposure from the sun. And yet, there is concern over the long-term effects of screen exposure because of the close proximity of the screens and the length of time spent looking at them.

It boosts alertness, helps memory and cognitive function and elevates mood. It regulates circadian rhythm – the body’s natural wake and sleep cycle. Exposure to blue light during daytime hours helps maintain a healthful circadian rhythm. Too much exposure to blue light late at night (through smart phones, tablets, and computers) can disturb the wake and sleep cycle, leading to problems sleeping and daytime tiredness. Not enough exposure to sunlight in children could affect the growth and development of the eyes and vision. Early studies show a deficiency in blue light exposure could contribute to the recent increase in myopia/nearsightedness.

Related links: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25535358 Almost all visible blue light passes through the cornea and lens and reaches the retina. This light may affect vision and could prematurely age the eyes. Early research shows that too much exposure to blue light could lead to: parts of the eye Digital eyestrain: Blue light from computer screens and digital devices can decrease contrast leading to, Fatigue, dry eyes, bad lighting, or how you sit in front of the computer can cause eyestrain. Symptoms of eyestrain include sore or irritated eyes and difficulty focusing.

Retina damage: suggest that continued exposure to blue light over time could lead to damaged retinal cells. This can cause vision problems like, If constant exposure to blue light from smart phones, tablets, and computer screens is an issue, there are a few ways to decrease exposure to blue light: Screen time: Try to decrease the amount of time spent in front of these screens and/or take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest.

Filters : Screen filters are available for smart phones, tablets, and computer screens. They decrease the amount of blue light given off from these devices that could reach the retina in our eyes. Computer glasses : Computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses that block blue light can help ease computer digital eye strain by increasing contrast.

Anti-reflective lenses : Anti-reflective lenses reduce glare and increase contrast and also block blue light from the sun and digital devices. Intraocular lens (IOL): After surgery, the cloudy lens will be replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). The lens naturally protects the eye from almost all ultraviolet light and some blue light.

There are types of IOL that can protect the eye and retina from blue light. Talk to an eye care professional about options about ways to protect your family and your eyes from blue light. : Blue Light and Your Eyes

Is it normal to see lights with eyes closed?

Hallucinations are regarded by mental health professionals as sensory experiences that may seem real, but are actually created in your mind. Visual hallucinations, for example, cause you to see images, people, and objects that you alone may see. But it’s also possible to have visual hallucinations with your eyes closed.

Are flashing lights a symptom of stroke?

What Could Cause It? – Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed When your eyes are healthy and working well, the only flashes you see come from outside your body. When you see them in your visual field but others can’t see them, you could be dealing with an eye illness or another health problem. Flashes in your eyes are often caused by both eye-specific issues and general health issues. Eye Issues:

Retinal detachment, A small slice of tissue in the back of your eye transforms light into images. The retina needs a steady flow of blood to work right, and when that is interrupted through a tear, your information flow breaks down. Your brain interprets the break as a flash of light. This is a medical emergency, as the longer the tear remains, the more likely it is that you will have permanent vision loss. Shrinkage of vitreous humor, A thick, gel-like substance keeps your retina in place. As you age, that material gets smaller and smaller. Sometimes, it tugs on the retina, and that can lead to flashes and sparks. This is a common problem, says Harvard Medical School, as about a quarter of people have shrinkage by age 60. But in about one person in six, the reduction leads to retinal detachment. Hemorrhage, Blood nourishes every cell in your body, and in your eyes, it’s delivered by tiny little vessels that line the eye socket. If one of those capillaries breaks, blood can leak into the space behind your retina, and that can lead to retinal detachment and flashes of light.

General Health Issues:

Stroke, Bleeding inside the brain can also cause flashes of light. Other stroke symptoms include numbness, weakness, slurred speech, or headache. This is a medical emergency. Migraines, Some people develop an aura before the pain of a migraine hits. Unusual electrical activity in the brain leads to all sorts of shifts in perception, including flashes of light. If they last for 10 to 20 minutes and are followed by pain, the light is probably sparked by a migraine, says the Canadian Ophthalmological Society,

Can blue light affect your heart?

Turn off all the lights at night: Your heart will thank you You’re ready for bed, so you turn off the lights and pull down the shades. Sure, a little light may stream from the sides of the window, or beam from your alarm clock, or TV modem, or cell phone.

No big deal, you say? Think again.
It turns out that even tiny amounts of nighttime light—from any source—may be harmful to your heart.
One recent study found that older adults ages 63 to 84 who were exposed to even moderate amounts of ambient light during bedtime were more likely to be obese, have diabetes, and have high blood pressure – all risk factors for heart disease – compared to adults who were not exposed to any light during the night.

The study, supported by the NHLBI, appeared in the journal, Another study involving adults in their 20s showed that light exposure during sleep can increase insulin resistance, a risk factor for diabetes, the following morning. That study, also funded by the NHLBI, was published in,

The link between light at night and cardiovascular disease has been overlooked for a long time.
Now, people are beginning to recognize that this is a problem,” said the SLEEP study’s corresponding author Minjee Kim, M.D., an assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Center for Circadian & Sleep Medicine in Chicago.

In her study, the subjects wore a special watch that detects the amount and duration of ambient light while they slept. Although the precise sources emitting the light were unknown to the researchers during the study, Kim suspects that sources as seemingly benign as a streetlight or bathroom light were problematic.

The good news is that it’s a potentially modifiable risk factor for heart disease.
People may be able to lower their risk by avoiding or minimizing the amount of light exposure during sleep.” The exact mechanism behind this link is unclear, Kim said.
Studies suggest that light exposure at night can disrupt the body’s normal circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal body clock that controls your sleep/wake cycle.

This can trigger a cascade of metabolic or biochemical changes that affect glucose and cardiovascular regulation, boosting the risk of heart disease. Kim noted that some research suggests that not getting enough bright light during the day increases one’s sensitivity to light at night and that some people may be genetically predisposed to light sensitivity at night.

The specific factors behind the health effects of light at night are the subject of ongoing studies, and Kim said she anticipates more will come.
We live in a very different world than two hundred years ago,” Kim said.
There’s so much more light at night than in the past when we just had the moon, stars, and candlelight, and it might be contributing to the current epidemic of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.” Her recommendation: “Don’t wait until stronger evidence comes out.

Avoid light exposure at night as much as possible.” To reduce the amount of light in the bedroom, researchers recommend turning off lamps, computers, tablets, cell phones, and other light-emitting electronics before you go to bed. Some of those devices, particularly cell phones, emit wavelengths of blue light that can mimic daylight and interrupt sleep.

Studies have also linked blue light exposure at night to increased cardiovascular risks, including obesity. As a result, some health experts recommend using a blue-light filter if avoiding the device altogether is not possible. Another tip: If you have light coming in from the windows, cover it fully or, at a minimum, move your bed so the light isn’t shining in your face.

For the safety of older people, researchers do recommend a small, warm-colored nightlight—like red or amber—to reduce the chances of falls at night. Increasing exposure to natural sunlight during the day is just as critical to protecting your heart and your sleep health as limiting exposure to artificial light, noted Marishka Brown, Ph.D., director of the NHLBI’s,

“Getting exposure to sunlight during the day, particular early morning sunlight, is important,” Brown said. “This signal is critical for the regulation of circadian rhythms, which impact many core functions of the body, including blood pressure and metabolism,” Brown said. “This daytime light actually helps you improve your sleep at night”—which, in turn, can have a positive effect on your overall health and wellbeing, she said.

Other ways to get better sleep: going to bed and waking up at the same time daily and reducing caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake before bed. If you still have trouble sleeping at night, consult your healthcare provider, Brown said. The bottom line: “There’s a lot you can do to build a healthy heart,” Kim said.

Can dehydration cause flashing lights in eyes?

Dr. Small answers a question about spot flashes on the “Ask a Doctor of Optometry” Facebook group Nov 13, 2014 Question: I see spot flashes in the outside corners of my eyes. Not all the time, but if it starts in the morning then i see the flash throughout that day, none today. Seeing Blue Lights When Eyes Closed Answer : Thanks for the great question Doris. I see patients on a daily basis that describe similar symptoms. My goal is to try and differentiate between flashes in peoples vision that are due to what we call an ocular or ophthalmic migraine and those that are secondary to traction from the vitreous gel inside the eye.

Are accompanied by something called scintillating scotomas.
Everyone describes these differently but scotomas occur when parts of the visual field are blocked.
Often in these cases they are blocked by a kaleidoscope like flashing light that emanates from both eyes.
Patients often describe being able to see these effects even with their eyes closed.

These usually last anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes and can sometimes be followed by headaches. Dehydration, stress, lack of sleep, caffeine and certain foods are typical triggers for ocular migraines. When someone describes their flash stemming from only one eye and it is a quick flash usually only seen in the dark almost like a flash from a camera then I often attribute this to the vitreous gel.

This gel fills the largest cavity within the eye and presses right up against the inner lining known as the retina.
As everyone has more birthdays (my best way to describe getting older) this gel changes somewhat and tends to move around more causing it to actually separate itself from the retina.
As it does this it can also have certain areas where it pulls and tugs on the retina as you move your eye around and it sends a message to your brain that you are seeing light (flash) when there isn’t any actual light there.

Typically patients see this less during the day because the flash tends to blend in with the lit background. Often they are also associated with new vitreal floaters (a change in the vitreous composition that causes portions of it to be less translucent and we end up seeing spots or as my patients often describe “bugs” floating around in their vision).

As you can imagine sometimes if the vitreous is adhered strongly to the retina and begins to separate it can also cause in rarer cases what we call a retinal tear.
Retinal tears can then lead to retinal detachments and this can cause a permanent loss in vision.
No matter which of these two descriptions match your symptoms most closely, you should be seen by a as soon as possible.

The reason for this is to rule out that you don’t have a retinal tear or detachment that may be causing your symptoms. Not always, but more often a retinal tear will cause your flashing to increase (and not last minutes at a time like with an ocular migraine) and will be accompanied by an increase in floaters as well.

A change in your peripheral vision may also occur and if the retinal tear turns into a retinal detachment then patients often describe a veil or gauze like change to their peripheral vision.
It is possible that if the flashing is due to vitreal traction that these flashes spontaneously stop once the vitreous has separated from the retina cleanly and hasn’t caused any damage.

No matter what the case may be your eyes need to be looked at to rule out all of these possibilities. Expect to be dilated (drops used to make the pupils larger) so that can see the retina and vitreous through a larger window. If he or she finds a retinal hole, tear or break then he or she will refer you to a retinal specialist for assessment and potential surgical treatment.

Why do I see vivid colors when I close my eyes?

Most of us have experienced it. You rub your closed eyes, or sneeze, and suddenly notice some flickers or sparks of light in your vision. But, by the time you open your eyes, they’re gone. These small lights are usually phosphenes, a visual phenomenon caused by mechanical stimuli resulting in pressure or tension on the eye when the eyelids are closed.

The internal lining of the eyeball is called the retina. The retina’s job is to take visual information entering your eye through the pupil and convert this information into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then sent to the brain to provide us with the visual image we see of the world. Phosphenes are generated by the retina after there’s some sort of stimulation, even with the eye closed.

Some activities that stimulate the retina in this way include:

sneezing standing up too quickly head trauma looking at the sky moving the eyes quickly

Auras generally last from 20 to 60 minutes and start slowly in one area of the vision. They grow over a course of minutes to cause a scotoma, or blind spot, with your eyes open or closed. Usually, auras precede a headache or migraine and have geometric-associated shapes and shimmering colors. After auras subside, vision will return to normal.

These flashes are seen intermittently after development of a retina tear or detachment and usually don’t subside until it’s repaired. The retina doesn’t sense any pain or discomfort; flashing lights can be one of the first signs that there’s a change in the retina. Retinal tears and detachments are sight-threatening and need to be evaluated immediately by an eye doctor.

Why do I see weird shapes and colors when I close my eyes?

All About Closed-Eye Hallucinations Hallucinations are regarded by mental health professionals as sensory experiences that may seem real, but are actually created in your mind. Visual hallucinations, for example, cause you to see images, people, and objects that you alone may see.

But it’s also possible to have visual hallucinations with your eyes closed. Seeing patterns, lights, and colors when you shut your eyes is a natural phenomenon called closed eye hallucinations. Some causes, however, may be related to underlying medical conditions. What are closed eye hallucinations? When you close your eyes, you may be able to “see” colors, shapes, and light.

Some of the images may also move or create a swirling effect. Such visual effects are sometimes called closed eye hallucinations because such objects aren’t literally in front of you. In contrast to eye-open hallucinations, the visual phenomena you see when you shut your eyes often have kaleidoscope effects.

swirling patterns and colors random pixels flashes of light and/or darkness random objects

If you’re sleeping and you see clearer images of people, objects, and places, these are more likely to be dreams than hallucinations. However, some dreams can indeed seem very real from time to time. What typically causes closed eye hallucinations? Closed-eye hallucinations are related to a scientific process called phosphenes.

These occur as a result of the constant activity between neurons in the brain and your vision. Even when your eyes are closed, you can experience phosphenes. At rest, your retina still continues to produce these electrical charges. If you close your eyes in a lit-up room or outside in the sunlight, chances are that small amounts of light could create a visual effect.

There may also be an increased likelihood of seeing more colors when light pressure, such as a blindfold or sleep mask, is placed against your closed eyelids. Other causes of closed-eye hallucinations may be related to medical conditions, including the following:

Hyponatremia –Closed-eye hallucinations have also been clinically observed as a secondary condition in people with hyponatremia. This condition causes extremely low blood sodium levels of 135 mEq/L or less. It’s estimated that hallucinations occur in about 0.5 percent of people with sodium levels of less than 120 mEq/L, but the exact number of closed-eye hallucinations is not known. Hyponatremia is considered a medical emergency. Other related symptoms to hallucinations include confusion, weakness, and seizures. Treatment involves the use of intravenous sodium solution at a hospital where a doctor can monitor your levels. Charles Bonnet syndrome– Visual hallucinations may also occur in Charles Bonnet syndrome. This condition leads to vision loss from macular degeneration in older adults, creating what’s sometimes called “phantom vision.” The hallucinations experienced with Charles Bonnet syndrome may be recurring, and can last for an average of 12 to 18 months. Adults with this condition may frequently have images of people, landscapes, and objects. Each hallucination may last for just a few seconds at a time, or for several hours. While hallucinations experienced with Charles Bonnet syndrome typically occur with the eyes open, gradual vision loss can make it feel as if the eyes are closed. Lidocaine– One such study found closed-eye hallucinations in a man who had minor outpatient surgery with local anesthesia. After surgery, the patient reportedly experienced hallucinations whenever he closed his eyes over a four-hour period. These closed-eye hallucinations were followed by racing thoughts for two hours. Researchers concluded that this case was caused by a reaction to lidocaine. This is a numbing agent that may be used in minor surgeries and dental procedures. The ingredient is also sold in some over-the-counter topical numbing agents used for muscle aches and joint pain.

While hallucinations aren’t listed as a common side effect of lidocaine, other related side effects of topical applications of this medication include:

confusion fear drowsiness

Another study on heart surgery patients noted closed-eye hallucinations as rare side effects after this procedure. Researchers hypothesized that the hallucinations may be related to temporal lobe epilepsy, which causes seizures in the emotion-regulating parts of the brain.

The temporal lobes also control short-term memory. Closed-eye hallucinations aren’t typically a cause for concern. These are natural phenomena that can occur while you’re awake with your eyes closed, as well as during your sleep. However, if closed-eye hallucinations are so significant that they cause insomnia or anxiety, consider seeing a doctor.

You might also talk with a doctor if you have other unusual symptoms that affect your mood and overall cognitive function. Closed-eye hallucinations are patterns, snow, shapes, and colors you may witness when you shut your eyes. In most cases, these are harmless and aren’t a cause for concern.