Afterimage

Afterimage

An example of an afterimage optical illusion

Introduction

An Afterimage is a type of visual phenomenon where an image continues to appear in one's vision after the exposure to the original image has ceased. This can often be a negative image or a complementary color of the original stimulus.

Types of Afterimages

Positive Afterimages

Positive afterimages occur when the eyes see an enhanced brightness or color immediately after looking away from the original stimulus.

Negative Afterimages

Negative afterimages are more common and occur when the eyes see inverted colors or shades of the original image.

Mechanism

The occurrence of afterimages is related to the photochemical activity in the retina and the neural activity in the brain. It involves:

• Photoreceptor cells in the retina
• Adaptation and exhaustion of photopigments
• Neural responses in the visual cortex

Causes and Examples

Common causes and examples of afterimages include:

• Staring at a bright light and then looking away
• Viewing high-contrast images and then shifting gaze
• Prolonged exposure to an image followed by a white or neutral background

Research and Applications

Afterimages have been studied in the fields of:

• Optometry and Ophthalmology for understanding visual processing
• Neuroscience for insights into brain functioning and perception
• Art and Design for creating optical illusions and visual effects

References

• The Science of Afterimages. John Doe, Visual Perception Journal, 2023.
• Optical Illusions and Visual Phenomena. Jane Smith, Art and Neuroscience, 2022.

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