What is actually going on in your body when you "see stars" ?

Question

When you bend over to pick something up or you hit your head on something you get kind of light headed and you start seeing those stars. . what are those stars? And why do you see them?

Answer 1

phosphene is an entoptic phenomenon characterized by the sensation of seeing light. Phosphenes are caused by mechanical, electrical, or magnetic stimulation of the retina or visual cortex as well as random firing of cells in the visual system.

The most common phosphenes are pressure phosphenes, caused by rubbing the closed eyes. The pressure mechanically stimulates the cells of the retina. Experiences include a darkening of the visual field that moves against the rubbing, a diffuse colored patch that also moves against the rubbing, a scintillating and ever-changing and deforming light grid with occasional dark spots (like a crumpling fly-spotted flyscreen), and a sparse field of intense blue points of light. Pressure phosphenes can persist briefly after the rubbing stops and the eyes are opened, allowing the phosphenes to be seen on the visual scene. Christopher Tyler (1978) has published drawings of pressure phosphenes. One example of a pressure phosphene is demonstrated by gently pressing the right side of your right eye or the left side of your left eye and observing a colored ring of light on the opposite side.

Another common phosphene is “seeing stars,” from a sneeze, blow on the head or low blood pressure (such as on standing up too quickly or prior to fainting). It is possible these involve some mechanical stimulation of the retina, but they may also involve mechanical and metabolic stimulation of neurons of the visual cortex or of other parts of the visual system.

Less commonly, phosphenes can also be caused by some diseases of the retina and nerves.

Answer 2

There are nerve endings in the back of your retinas that become stimulated with the reception of light. This stimulation, in turn, is transmitted to the ocular part of the brain, which in turn 'generates' the image being transmitted by the eyes. When you bump your head, it stimulates the reception of random impulses of light, thus generating the "Seeing Stars" effect.

Answer 3

You see stars because you have so much pain that your seeing stars.

Answer 4

Everything turns blurry.. and I see the blurs because I hit my head on something.

Answer 5

i heard that if you apply too much pressure to your closed eyes (ive done this before when i was little and you see stars when you do it) you could affect blood circulation or have a heart attack if you do it for a long time or alot.

Answer 6

Your pain nerves are in work.