Understanding Closed Eye Hallucinations : Causes and Effects

Hallucinations are known to be sensory experiences that appear to be very real to the person who is experiencing them. However, they are actually made up in the mind. An example of this would be visual hallucinations, where a person clearly sees people, objects, images, etc. that are only visible to them. What is surprising is that it is sometimes also possible to experience visual hallucinations when your eyes are closed. Known as closed-eye hallucinations, a person experiencing these can see patterns, lights, and colors even when their eyes are closed. Here’s everything you need to know about closed eye hallucinations.

Simply put, closed-eye hallucinations are hallucinations that occur when your eyes are closed. In some people, when they close their eyes, they are able to see light, colors, and shapes. Many times, these images may also be moving and creating a swirling pattern or effect. Such kinds of visual effects are known as closed-eye hallucinations since the objects that you are seeing are not actually in front of you.^(1,2,3)

Unlike what happens in hallucinations that occur when your eyes are open, closed-eye hallucinations are a visual phenomenon that is often accompanied by kaleidoscopic effects. This is especially true if you are awake and present in a well-lighted environment but your eyes are closed. Some of the most common types of closed-eye hallucinations that people experience include:⁽⁴⁾

• Swirling colors and patterns
• Random pixels
• Random objects
• Flashes of light or/and darkness

However, if you are sleeping and during that time you see clear images of objects, places, and people, these are usually classified to be dreams instead of hallucinations. Nevertheless, such dreams can also seem to be very real from time to time and may leave the person feeling confused about what is real and what was a dream.^(5,6)

Closed eye hallucinations are known to be associated with a process known as phosphenes, which occur due to the result of continuous activity in the neurons of the brain and your vision. It is possible to experience phosphenes even when your eyes are closed. It is important to know that even when you are at rest, your retina may still continue to produce certain electrical charges that cause the swirls and other patterns you experienced during closed-eye hallucinations.⁽⁷⁾

If you close your eyes while being in a well-lighted room or being out in the sunlight, there is always a chance that some small amount of light can still create a visual effect. There is also a higher chance of seeing more colors when there is light pressure kept against your closed eyes, such as being blindfolded or wearing a sleeping eye mask.^(8,9)

On the other hand, some of the other causes of closed-eye hallucinations could be associated with medication conditions. Some of these medical conditions may include:

1. Charles Bonnet Syndrome

   One of the most common causes of such types of visual hallucinations is Charles Bonnet syndrome. This is a medical condition that causes vision loss due to macular degeneration. In some cases, this causes a phenomenon known as phantom vision. Charles Bonnet syndrome most commonly happens in older adults.⁽¹⁰⁾

   The hallucinations experienced by people having Charles Bonnet syndrome are usually recurring and can last for anywhere between 12 to 18 months. Adults who have this condition also tend to frequently see images of objects, people, and landscapes. Each hallucination episode tends to last for a few seconds at a time or can continue even for a few hours.⁽¹¹⁾

   While the hallucinations associated with Charles Bonnet syndrome usually occur when the eyes are open, but over time gradual vision loss can make it feel like the eyes are closed, thus giving rise to closed-eye hallucinations.⁽¹²⁾

2. Hyponatremia

   Closed-eye hallucinations are also frequently observed as being a secondary condition in people who have hyponatremia, a condition that causes very low levels of blood sodium. In fact, the levels of blood sodium may even reach as low as 132 mEq/L or less.^(13,14)

   According to estimates, hallucinations are known to occur in nearly 0.5 percent of people who have blood sodium levels of less than 120 mEq/L, though the exact level that causes closed-eye hallucinations is not known.⁽¹⁵⁾

   It is important to be aware that hyponatremia is a medical emergency and can be accompanied by other symptoms related to hallucinations, including weakness, confusion, and even seizures. The treatment of hyponatremia focuses on providing intravenous sodium solution to the person at a hospital under strict monitoring of a doctor.

Another common cause of closed-eye hallucinations is surgery. People sometimes report experiencing closed-eye hallucinations after having surgery. A study found that a man who had undergone a minor outpatient surgical procedure under local anesthesia started experiencing closed-eye hallucinations after the surgery. The patient experienced hallucinations whenever he would close his eyes over a four-hour timeframe and these closed-eye hallucinations were followed by experiencing racing thoughts for nearly two to three hours.⁽¹⁶⁾

The researchers concluded that this was happening by a reaction to lidocaine, which is a numbing agent used in many dental procedures and minor surgeries. Lidocaine is also found in many over-the-counter topical numbing agents that are often used for joint pain and muscle aches.^(17,18)

Even though hallucinations are not listed as one of the common side effects of lidocaine, some of the other associated side effects of using lidocaine in topical applications includes fear, confusion, and drowsiness.⁽¹⁹⁾

Another study carried out on heart surgery patients found that closed-eye hallucinations were a rare side effect some patients experienced after this procedure.⁽¹⁾ Researchers further hypothesized that the hallucinations could be related to temporal lobe epilepsy, which is a condition known to cause seizures in the parts of the brain that controls emotions. The temporal lobes are also known to regulate short-term memory.^(20,21)

Generally speaking, closed-eye hallucinations are not usually a matter of concern. These often happen as a natural phenomenon that occurs when you are awake, but have your eyes closed, or can take place even when you are sleeping. However, if you find that these closed-eye hallucinations have become so drastic that they are causing you anxiety or not letting you sleep, you should consider having them checked out by a doctor. Let your doctor know about any other unusual symptoms you may be having, especially those that could be affecting your mood and cognitive functioning.

Closed-eye hallucinations occur when you have your eyes closed and may appear to be shapes, colors, and patterns. You may even experience closed-eye hallucinations in your sleep. In the majority of cases, such hallucinations are harmless and not something to be concerned about. Some cases of closed eye hallucinations are also related to medical conditions that may need to be treated. After treatment, the hallucinations usually tend to go away.

You should consult a doctor if you are experiencing closed-eye hallucinations that are accompanied by other unexplained symptoms, or if you are also experiencing dramatic changes in your vision, mood, or cognitive functions.

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