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Doctor explains why you used to see those bright colored lights at night as a child Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

Doctor explains why you used to see those bright colored lights at night as a child

By Ellissa Bain

When you were a child, do you remember seeing bright colored lights and shapes at night when you closed your eyes?

It’s a memory that loads of adults can recall, but why did it happen? A doctor has explained the science behind the phenomenon.

Cute baby boy sleeping on bed
Cute baby boy sleeping on bed. Credit: Westend61 (Getty Images)

Why you saw colored lights at night as a child

“75% of people saw these lights when going to sleep as a child,” Dr. Sermed Mehzer said on TikTok. “Some people describe them as colors and patterns, floating stars or planets and others as distant galaxies.”

He added that they were seen as an overwhelming positive experience and children couldn’t wait to go to bed to see them again. They usually peak between the ages of four to seven and disappear into adulthood.

These lights are called phosphenes, which is the phenomenon of seeing light without light actually entering the eye, and there are a few different theories about why it happens.

The main reason it occurs is due to direct mechanical stimulation of the eye, usually by touching or rubbing your eyelids with your hands. The pressure activates ganglion cells in the retina in the same way that light does, causing you to see colors.

Children tend to touch and rub their eyes a lot more than adults especially when tired, which explains why you used to see phosphenes at night as a child but don’t as an adult.

Mehzer added that magnetic field interference in the eye can also play a part in the bright colors and patterns, as can biophotonic light. This is when the retina in your eye produces its own photons, similar to a firefly.

@drsermedmezher

“The Night Lights in My Mind” nostalgia. Phosphenes are the visual sensations of light that occur without light actually entering the eye. These fascinating visual phenomena are typically experienced when gently pressing on closed eyelids, during moments of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, or due to sudden changes in light exposure. For many, the memory of encountering phosphenes is overwhelmingly positive and evokes a sense of nostalgia. Childhood Wonder: Encountering phosphenes often takes us back to childhood, a time when we were naturally curious and amazed by simple yet magical experiences. The vivid bursts of color and light patterns seen behind closed eyelids could easily captivate and delight a child’s imagination, creating a lasting impression of wonder and discovery. Imagination and Play: Phosphenes offered a unique, almost mystical, playground for the mind. As children, we might have experimented with pressing on our eyes to see the shifting patterns of light, or lying in bed, waiting for sleep, watching the light show unfold. This playful interaction with our own biology felt like a secret, magical world that only we could access. Peaceful Moments: For many, the experience of seeing phosphenes is associated with moments of relaxation and peace. Lying down with eyes closed, feeling the gentle ebb and flow of the colorful lights, often accompanied by a sense of calm and tranquility. These serene moments are often nostalgic, reminding us of a time when life felt simpler and more carefree. Connection to Dreams: Phosphenes can also be linked to the world of dreams and the subconscious mind. The transition from wakefulness to sleep, marked by these luminous patterns, served as a gentle gateway into the dream world. Remembering this transition can evoke a sense of nostalgia for the mysterious and enchanting experiences of our dreamscapes. #interesting #childhood #childhoodmemories

♬ Last Hope – Steve Ralph

When seeing colored lights isn’t normal

Seeing vivid shapes and patterns when you rub your eyes or cough is normal, but consistently seeing it could be a sign of a more serious condition, Cleveland Clinic explains.

Phosephenes can be a sign of some retinal conditions including retinal detachment, when the retina has pulled away from its supporting tissue and posterior vitreous detachment, when the vitreous gel that fills the eyeball pulls away from the retina.

It could also be a sign of diabetes-related retinopathy, a condition that can lead to vision loss, and macular degeneration, an age-related eye disease that affects central vision, meaning you cant see things directly in front of you.

Phosphenes can also occur in certain neurological diseases such as migraines, dementia, Parkinson’s, optic neuritis and vertebrobasilar insufficiency. They could be the result of a traumatic brain injury too.

If you are concerned about phosphenes, speak to your doctor who can advise further.

Dr. Sermed Mehzer is a General Practitioner for the NHS in the UK who received his medical degree from the University of Manchester. He is also a content creator and shares his medical expertise with more than 250,000 followers on TikTok.