How exactly DO optical illusions work?
Optical illusions gain their allure from the ways in which our visual abilities and the brain interact. Perhaps the simplest definition of an optical illusion is an image that uses patterns, light and/or colors to affect a person’s perception of reality by taking advantage of the ways in which visual information is processed by the brain.
In some cases, the amount of information your eyes are receiving from an image is just too much for the brain to process efficiently, leading to a sort of “glitch” that creates a deceptive image. In other cases, high-contrast images can cause a “halo” or “leaking” effect that leads to a light or dark value appearing where it doesn’t actually exist. For example, the famous Hermann grid illusion causes the viewer to perceive non-existent dots at the intersections of lines on a high-contrast grid.
If you want to continue enjoying the unique visual and mental trickery that optical illusions provide, it’s important to take good care of your eye health. Make sure to have regular appointments with your Eye Michigan ophthalmologist to keep a watch on your optical health and help you address any visual issues you may develop.