Monday, May 9, 2016

THE EYELID SLIDESHOW


We like to think of ourselves as unique beings and that our thoughts, feelings and actions are original. We want to conform somewhat to fit in but in our hearts we tend to think we are special and actually quite singular.  To dispel that theory, just Google your thoughts and see just how many others have the same.

Just for kicks, I Googled a made up question about a numb little toe with a simultaneously numb left ear lobe. I was astonished at the hits. Who knew, those phantom symptoms are actually signs of a disease and that many people have them?

We may relate a story from our lives thinking it is ours alone. We hit publish only to find out that several others have been in that same place, felt the same and done the same with only slight differences. That is when we know we really are all more alike than different.

Mark Twain once stated that 'there is no such thing as a new idea.'  Pretty sure this applies to experiences also. After blogging for 7 years, I believe.

So I am tossing something a bit weird out there as a test but will not be surprised if I am not alone. Pretty sure some of you either near or far have experienced  a similar thing. I just Googled it and found there are several forums discussing this same experience.

I am referring to the eyelid slide show. This is something I do occasionally and always thought unique but it probably isn't. Since I have become aware of this mostly in the past year or so, perhaps it is a medication side effect.

I see people inside my closed eyelids.  I can't do it in a totally dark room. I need just a wee bit of light or else I only see swirling shade of gray. However when there is a slight back light and I really look into my eyelids, faces appear. I can't just close my eyes for it to happen,  I have to really look once they are closed.

The faces are just head shots in black and white and are as precise as pen and ink or pencil drawings. The detail is amazing. They are usually very attractive, of many different ethnicities and mostly young. They fade in and out of my vision wearing no expression. No two are the same.

I once thought I was seeing dead people--perhaps I am.  They are not in the least familiar but are not frightening at all.  I am always curious who will pop up next and will often strain to make them appear.  Sometimes it just won't work and I see nothing at all. The slideshow is usually a fun surprise with out rhyme or reason.

When it does occur, it doesn't last too long for it seems to put me right to sleep after a few minutes.

Now my question is--am I a unique being (outside of those forum folks on Google) or have you been visited by the eyelid slide show also?  Really curious.

46 comments :

  1. Nope, can't say I have ever had that experience but it sounds intriguing.

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    Replies
    1. It is interesting and really seems to put me to sleep.

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  2. No, I haven't. But now I really WANT to. It doesn't sound scary but I wonder what causes it. :-)

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    1. Djan,
      I hope you do. It is definitely not scary and I have no idea the cause.

      Delete
  3. Nope I think you are completely unique! It's never happened to me either. :D

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    1. Joey,
      Aw, and I was so hoping you would have been one.

      Delete
  4. Wow! I have never had and experience like that, nor have I ever even heard of such a thing. It sounds so wildly interesting.

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    1. robin,
      It really is amazing and such a cast of characters. I have a favorite who is a very handsome young man but they seem to only appear one time.

      Delete
  5. You got me on this one...I see swirling colors sometimes, but I never have seen a person.

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    1. Terri,
      I also see the swirling colors sometimes.

      Delete
  6. Sorry, I see nothing, neither do I dream. I think you need to investigate this more and report back to us.

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    1. Linda,
      Aw, I am so sorry you don't dream. That really makes the sleeping part of the nights such fun.

      Delete
  7. Ummmm... this is a new one. I just shut my eyes and only saw the words on my computer screen. No faces.

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    1. Kay,
      Ooh, I didn't see the words when I closed my eyes just now. You have a special talent.

      Delete
  8. I never heard of this! But I wish it would happen to me. Sounds like a nice, friendly way to fall asleep. When I close my eyes, I sometimes see lights, but not people.

    I'll try this tonight; maybe with a raised level of consciousness, it will occur. Here's hoping....

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    Replies
    1. Carole,
      Oh I hope it works for you. It really is facinating and puts me right to sleep.

      Delete
  9. My friend, Jan, has this phenomenon if she sleeps in the dark. It scares her so she always sleeps with a light on. Amazing condition. Glad you enjoy yours, though.

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    1. Out to Pasture,
      Finally!! I don't feel quite so alone now though I am so sorry she finds it uncomfortable.

      Delete
  10. This is new to me. I don't have such eyelid fun, only eyelid problems. :-(

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    Replies
    1. Linda R
      Hope you are nearing an end of those eyelid problems. Doesn't sound like fun.

      Delete
  11. I haven't experienced this, but it would be interesting.

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    1. Stephen,
      I was thinking the artist in you would see these folks. They are amazingly accurate sketches.

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  12. I've never had that happen, but I want it to!!

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    1. Fran,
      I hope you do too. It really is interesting.

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  13. I haven't experienced this either, Patti, but I'm intrigued!

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    1. Dr Kathy,
      I'm just relieved that you didn't recognize it as some sort of psychosis:))

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  14. I will add my NO to the chorus. Sorry I can't help you.

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    1. Meryl,
      So far only one besides myself. Guess I am more unique than I thought.

      Delete
  15. Aren't you lucky to have your own movies!
    I have to say, "No," to this one. I've never
    even heard of it but why not?

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  16. Well, I have had something similar... and they do sometimes look like 'sketches', but not always faces, sometimes shapes of animals (some quite good). Just thought it was some biological phenomenon (like eye floats) and our minds use them to create images??

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    1. Rian,
      Thank you and welcome to the club. I too have seen animals.
      I would think the same but the details are so amazing.

      Delete
  17. No I haven't either. Seems like I just read my kindle and before I know it I'm asleep.

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    1. Inger,
      Me too, only this happens right after I shut off my Kindle and close my eyes.

      Delete
  18. I can't say I have but must admit I've never paid attention to what I might see. Usually I fall into bed and am asleep in mere seconds. I count backward by 3's from 400 and rarely get bast 388...

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    1. Eileen,
      I usually have about 3 minutes from when I turn out the lights till I am asleep. That is when my slide show takes place.

      Delete
  19. Nope. Just the occasional flashing colored light show....

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    1. TB,
      I use to get those also till I saw the people. Now I don't get the flashing colored lights anymore. Aww.

      Delete
  20. I have never seen or heard of anything like this until now. The only time I see anything in my eyelids is when I have a bad headache and then I see all these squiggly things with eyes open and closed. You are very unique I would say sweet Patti. It is a good thing you enjoy seeing the faces. Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Maggie,
      Though a couple have said they see them also, it doesn't seem to be a common thing. Those squiggly lines are called an ocular migraine. I had one once. It was a bit unnerving.

      Delete
  21. I'm reluctant to even try that! I already hear things--voices, music. Right now it's cicadas. Can't take the chance of closing my eyes because I might see cicada people. Remember the movie THEM?? :)

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  22. Patti I do see movement but would describe mine as little cartoon people dancing in place. I just always thought it was blood vessels.. I also like to open my eyes a little in a bright room to see shapes in my eyeball fluid. How we amuse ourselves! Thank you for being so brave.

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  23. Hmmmm - now I will have to see if I can replicate your experience since I've never had it. I do see faces all the time in tile and marble though - sometimes, I stare for awhile because they fascinate me.

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  24. I'm in your club, Patti. Like you, the slideshow puts me back to sleep quickly. I see faces - no one I know - designs, patterns, etc. All lovely, not scary. So glad you posted this - it's neat to know I'm not the only one. You made my day!

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