i am seeing stars. can someone tell me why?

Question

when ever i get tired or something like that, i think i was seeing stars! or sometimes seeing chirping birds.... are they illusion? help me!!!! i feel i am sick or something! help!

Answer 1

I was laughing at the chirping birds thing, but then I realized you must be seeing what they call "floaters".

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Seeing Stars

It's not just in the funny papers that people see stars. An eye expert explains the phenomenon. By Bill Lloyd, MD
WebMD Answers to Questions

Question:


Sometimes when I cough really hard I see stars. Is this normal? It doesn't hurt -- it's just really strange.


Answer:


Vitreous is the name of the clear material that fills the eyeball. 80% of the eye's volume is vitreous -- just like a small spherical fish tank! You may recognize the word "vitreous" as molten glass. Human vitreous has a similar appearance and physical properties.

The vitreous in children is very firm and gelatinous. In older folks, the vitreous is like water. That means there's a transition period during which the gel "melts." The medical term for this process is "syneresis." (Hey, you knew we had a term for this!)

When the vitreous separates from the retina along the wall of our "fish tank" eye, it can stimulate light flashes in the retina.

Your coughing fits have provided us all with a textbook description of "entoptic phenomena" -- the visualization of images and colored flashes that are not really there, but you perceive them anyway.

All of us experience entoptic phenomena -- it's just that some of us are not as alert an observer as you.

In order to communicate with the brain, the retina transmits a nerve signal that describes light. That is to say, the retina's language is light. Any stimulation of the retina (inflammation, pressure, traction, etc.) will activate the retina, and so the stimulated retina transmits a visual signal to the brain -- even if your eyes are closed and even if the room is totally black!

Many WebMD visitors recall playing in bed at night as a child and gently pressing on their eyeball. C'mon, 'fess up, you all did it at one time or another! You may have noticed a yellow or greenish crescent or halo in that eye. That was your introduction to entoptic phenomena.

In your eyes, the entoptic stimulation may have been caused by your wobbling vitreous. In the absence of all other stimuli (darkened, quiet bedroom) your eye finally had a chance to appreciate what was going on INSIDE your eye.

It's possible to have flashes only without any vitreous floaters.

Since coughing can certainly wobble the fish tank, it is not surprising you associated the flashes with your cough.

Persistent or progressive flashes should alert you to get a comprehensive eye exam.


Bill Lloyd, MD, is an experienced ophthalmologist who has devoted the last two decades to practicing and teaching medicine.


The opinions expressed herein are the guest's alone and have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician. If you have a question about your health, you should consult your personal physician. This event is meant for informational purposes only.


Published Nov. 24, 2003.

Answer 2

examine on line to make advantageous the skys isn't cloudy. THen deliver binoculars and probably a sky map. or only enable him communicate with reference to the celebs. in all probability on a hill, i stay in a rural section, yet there are not many hills around right here... verify you're remote from any massive lighting fixtures... and you're able to be sturdy to bypass

Answer 3

You may have bloodpressure issues as either low or high blood pressure can cause the stars to appear before your eyes. It's easily checked by your doctor.

Answer 4

Maybe in your tired state of mind you don't pay enough attention and run against a lamppost ever once in a while? That would explain you seeing stars...

Answer 5

it happens 2 me smtimes 2, but i remember a very nice statement that my bf says, he says " if u c starrs that's because u r their moon and they are looking 4 their moon"....