The Engineer's Notebook

I'd vote for the pressure behind the eyes theory...I seem to see "spots" when sneezing and this could explain it...of course, I could be completely off-track...:)

Let's see what others come up with...

That's right! If no one else saw it, it didn't really happen...except in the observer. Suggest he look up phosphene.

Oh oh....I know...place a camera in the room with you and see if it shows up upon review.....that would confirm or deny the pressure theory.

I can't vouch for this, but was it blue ? It sounds like this is directly related to the infecting bacteria, or the treatment. Perhaps somebody could enter a darkened room with you to help you establish if the flashes are neurological ? It conjures up a slightly bizarre picture, but it would rule out that possibility.

At the risk of sounding flippant, there are many possible explanations, and this thread could run and run...

No, it wasn't blue. It was simply a flash of electrical (whitish or yellowish) light.

This may come as a surprise to you but I've never blown my nose. Well, I tried it a couple of times but my ears popped and I didn't like it. Anyway, this isn't my blog so back to you.

I've noticed that when people blow their noses, they tend to close their eyes (perhaps to keep them from bulging out or popping off?).

I don't know how you do it but if you do close your eyes, you're not seeing something in front of you. I would think the flashes are coming from your brain. It's probably the same effect that happens when you get bumped on the head (as in seeing stars). Of course I could be wrong.

Then again, it might be creatures that flash (bioluminesce) when disturbed?

Try getting someone to watch you do it (eeuch!).

I've noticed that ..........

Yes, our mannerisms and reflexes are curious aren't they. Sneezing whilst driving causes me to jolt my head. One of the reasons I don't drive much is a fear of head-butting the steering wheel should I suddenly sneeze. Contact with the horn whilst doing so would be, well, alarming.

I wonder if Chris has a push button bed-side lamp ?

Gorden Bennett ! What snorts lightning and craps thunder ? It's not Jell O Leno.

static electrical discharge, you blew lightning from your nose

not sure what exactly you experienced, did you have your eyes closed is a really good question, because this is the normal tendency when one blows their nose. However, I do know that the neurology of the brain and the interpretation it allows itself to read from the eye's inputs are subconsciously controlled in the most primitive parts of the brain. I do not know that there have been any 'blowing your nose studies' but other studies how proved that the brain can turn off the sight inputs at will or even make you think you have seen light if certain areas of the brain are 'excited'.

No, my eyes were open and it was enough to briefly light up a few inches around it.

What is the humidity level in the room? Static discharges are more prevailent in dry air.

I notice a small electrical discharge when I open up a "Breathe Right" strip in the dark.

Ried

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphene

Or perhaps triboelectric discharge? Be careful around the moonshine if it's that!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboelectric_effect

pseudomonas bacteria are sometimes flouresent.

http://textbookofbacteriology.net/Pseudomonas.etc.html

You should see your doctor. It sounds as though you have a threatened retinal detachmant, symptons of which are flashes of light. Don't mess about. Your retina can be welded back in place by laser light. Tom Brown

I agree with Guest . It is not neccly a problem but you should check with an opthamologist regarding your retina attachment. Just turning the head produces this effect and was a bit disturbing as I wondered (when driving in the dark) where the light was reflecting from. So long as it gets no worse you should be alright and try to blow nose and sneeze gently.

There's a whole bunch of medical resons why Chris might be seeing flashes of light. Some possible causes are listed here. On-line symptom checking is not for the feint-hearted.

"In about half of all people, the vitreous humour has separated from the retina by the age of 50. This normally doesn't cause any problems and most people aren't aware that it has happened. In some cases, however, the vitreous remains attached to parts of the retina, and tears the retina as it pulls away. If the retina tears, some blood can escape into the vitreous, causing a 'shower' of lots of floaters at once. You may also see flashes of bright, white light in your vision that look a little like lightening streaks.

These types of flashes aren't necessarily a sign of retinal detachment - they sometimes happen because of a migraine." Source

I have to concur with Kris, you need to see a doctor ASAP. I have know of 2 people that suffered detached retinas as a result of sneezing. I have personally had both retinas detach during a rapid depressurization of an aircraft. I don't know if the pressure change in the cabin caused it or the flying debris of approach plates, sectional charts, and log books bouncing off my head. My center vision was still 20/20 but my peripheral vision was gone. It was like somebody had pulled the shades down. to see anything in the 10 O'clock to 2 O'clock sector I had to tilt my head upward due to the detachment. The repairs were done by specialist that used buckles on both eyes that resemble zip ties and then reinforcing the retina with laser "tack welds". One eye had 189 "tack welds" and the other eye got zapped 240 times. The lucky thing was the optic nerve wasn't damaged and I was able to return to flight status 180 days after the operation. See the doctor!

It wasn't a shower of floaters or anything like that. I blew my nose a few times and each time I did, the area around my nose was illuminated by what looked like static electricity. It was targeted to a very specific place (my nose), not a wide field of vision experience. I haven't been able to reproduce the phenomema since that evening, and yes I'm still blowing my nose a lot. One things for sure, though, I'm not prone to migraines.

I guess a visit to the doc about this wouldn't be a bad idea...

Were your eyes open of closed? Or did you take note?

It could well be an internal nerve sensory phenomenon. I have had cataracts removed and lens implants. Subsequently had to have a "K"- laser treatment for clouding of a behind the lens. I felt a "jolt" in the back of my neck and "saw" s flash of light and "heard" a pop or crack sound, all simultaneously.

A bad case of nerves!

Allergies cause me to blow my nose rather frequently and with greater force than most people - I hate paper tissues because I always blow holes through them. I have seen the flashes of light (many pinpoints of white light in no particular arrangement) many times. I have always assumed it is the same phenomenon as 'seeing stars' when being struck in the head - whatever that is.

UK & USA paper tissues are useless, you don't even need to blow hard!!

Either buy some good old fashioned cotten handherchiefs.... or move to Germany, they have really strong tissues that take a big blow!!

I blow right through conventional tissues. Usually I use paper towels. It's hell on the nose, but I don't have fraying bits of paper all over my face afterwards.

"Either buy some good old fashioned cotten handherchiefs.... or move to Germany, they have really strong tissues that take a big blow!!"

AKA Paper Towels!

It is this:

Phosphene

Follow secondary links from this page and you find mention of prisoner's cinema. Chris, they need to let you out once in awhile.

It wasn't like the lights one sees while rubbing their eyes. It was like a very minute sparking. As the symptoms of the cold have cleared up, I haven't seen it again. This may end up being on of the great mysteries of our time...

Damn.....we'll have to wait 'til your next cold to continue this discussion (hope it won't be too soon, for your health that is, but then again, we HAVE to have confirmation and.....)

Be healthy until then....

Are the paper towels still glowing? Were you blowing your nose near the microwave? Do you have a prosthetic, electrical appliance in place of your nose?

Is your real name Homer Simpson?

Are the paper towels still glowing?

Well that could solve the possibility of luminous bacteria. Judging by the picture that Chris used at the top of all this, a builder might be needed to install some blast doors. According to this, it might be safer to just let it all drip out. I tried 'steaming' once and ended up looking like a Lobster, but it did ease the congestion.

The practical need for 'sturdy' nose blowing fabric is understandable, but has nobody read the book ' You Only Live Twice' ? Bond is gently mocked by his host with lavatorial comparison - "would you carefully wrap the result and carry it around like a precious object". Having just read about bank-note contamination, this thought no longer troubles me.

Maybe you could culture the organisms to chek them for fluroscence.

I am trying not to be funny but atleast it will rule that possibility out or make things clearer.

I am sure a microbiologist will be able to ignore the ickiness.

Have you been sniffing glue by any chance?

If you have been taking cough syrup, do you take the recommended amount or do you drink the entire bottle?

Syrups do not help ... a cold takes seven days ... unless one takes healing substances that boost the immune system, the natural defence we should deploy to treat a cold.

Jaan,

With tongue firmly in cheek, I suggest you reread my post and Google the use/abuse of cough syrup.

oops, you know ... SORRY

Chris, baby! I'm tellin' ya... If you can reproduce that, you've got it made in show biz!!! I'm sure I could get you a spot on American Idol. You could go down as one of the great performers of all time. Here, this is a picture of another guy I represent...

Of course, he specifies in, how shall we say, the ah other end of the biz. So I'm sure there'd be no conflict of interest. Lets do lunch!

Wasn't there a report by some of the Apollo astronauts about 'seeing' flashes of light while they were outside the protection of the Earth's atmosphere (i.e. cosmic rays)? Are the Adirondacks really that high?