Weird symptom..."Afterimage"?

[dannybex]

I've had this odd symptom for about 4-5 years.

If I look at anything darker -- or lighter -- than the surrounding area, even if it's in a relatively low light environment, and even if it's only for a few seconds -- then look away, I'll see the 'afterimage'. If I glance over at my walker or wheelchair, both of are basically black...then look away, I'll see a lighter, reverse 'ghost' image.

I don't know if this is similar to sensitivity to light or not, but it's definitely maddening at times.

Just wondering if anyone else has this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterimage

 

[dannybex]

I took this (weird) photo of a roll of toilet paper sitting on top of the toilet and tried to use photoshop to duplicate what I see.



I wasn't able to match it exactly -- it's like this reverse 'ghost' image -- but hopefully you get the idea.

 

[Melanie]

Just wondering if anyone else has this?

Not on every day objects or on a regular basis.

Lying in bed looking at my computer screen when I am streaming can cause this when I look away and at my wall, I will see an image of the light of the screen and dark of the computer's border of the screen but that is about it. I think that is normal but yours seems to be occurring with everyday objects.

 

[dannybex]

Thanks @Melanie. Yes, it's weird. Only lasts a 2-3 seconds, but is definitely pronounced.

I started taking riboflavin a few years back, which helped with sensitivity to bright light (a symptom of riboflavin deficiency). Not sure if I can tie in this 'afterimage' stuff to starting the riboflavin, but if I cut back on it, then I get the deficiency symptoms every time. Frustrating...

 

[dannybex]

No one else? Just me?

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I think this is normal. I certainly experience it. It tends to be more in low light levels I think - maybe something to do with the depth of field in vision being less at low light levels. I suspect the after images are more apparent superimposed on out of focus areas of vision.

 

[TiredSam]

No one else? Just me?

Yes but I've never thought of this as an ME symptom, I thought it happened to everyone and was a perfectly normal phenomenon.

EDIT: It's never happened with a bogroll though.

 

[dannybex]

Yes but I've never thought of this as an ME symptom, I thought it happened to everyone and was a perfectly normal phenomenon.

I guess if one looks at it as a form of sensitivity to light, then perhaps it could be considered one of the many symptoms of ME. No doubt it happens in the general population too, at least as one gets older.

EDIT: It's never happened with a bogroll though.

HA!

 

[dannybex]

I think this is normal. I certainly experience it. It tends to be more in low light levels I think - maybe something to do with the depth of field in vision being less at low light levels. I suspect the after images are more apparent superimposed on out of focus areas of vision.

Sorry I missed your reply. Yes, it definitely seems to be more apparent in low light...

 

[Forbin]

I've noticed this at times when I've gone without sleep for several hours longer than usual. Light sensitivity is also worse at such times. I kind of assume this is normal, except there are times when it is more pronounced - probably when I haven't had enough sleep for several nights in a row.

 

[Never Give Up]

Here is a good explaination of this well documented phenomenon that everyone has:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterimage

And here is a page on a similar, but abnormal set of phenomena, including a paragraph on the differences between normal and abnormal afterimages:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palinopsia

 

[Esther12]

Welcome to the forum @Never Give Up !