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Aphantasia Logo
Back to all discussions
Community

Join the conversation and share your experiences with the community.

Start a Discussion
Discussion Guidelines

Please remember to:

  • • Be respectful and constructive
  • • Share your personal experiences
  • • Ask questions if you're curious
  • • Help others feel welcome
You're not alone

Talk to counselors, coaches, and educators who already understand aphantasia — so you don't have to start by explaining what it is.

Find aphantasia-aware support
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Building awareness and understanding of aphantasia through research, education, and community support.

About

  • What is Aphantasia?
  • What is Hyperphantasia?
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  • Contact

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  • Find support
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© 2026 Aphantasia Network. All rights reserved.

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Shapes behind closed eyelids

March 3, 20231 min readByCatherine York
Visualization
So, I’ve known I’ve had aphantasia for a while now, nothing new there. However, I’ve made yet another discovery today that people even close their eyes and, without imagining things, see static or a pattern similar to the bottom of a pool, moving. Now, it was a video and obviously commenters aren’t always experts but in the comments people were saying it’s because light filters through your eyelids and the little veins and your eyes are just processing that. But if that’s the case…why can’t I see that? So I was just curious if anyone else sees this or if it is just complete blackness like what I see. Just wondering if it has to do with aphantasia or if my eyelids are just..thick or something. Now, I do have kind of blurry vision but I see light just fine.

Shapes behind closed eyelids

March 3, 20231 min readByCatherine York
Visualization
So, I’ve known I’ve had aphantasia for a while now, nothing new there. However, I’ve made yet another discovery today that people even close their eyes and, without imagining things, see static or a pattern similar to the bottom of a pool, moving. Now, it was a video and obviously commenters aren’t always experts but in the comments people were saying it’s because light filters through your eyelids and the little veins and your eyes are just processing that. But if that’s the case…why can’t I see that? So I was just curious if anyone else sees this or if it is just complete blackness like what I see. Just wondering if it has to do with aphantasia or if my eyelids are just..thick or something. Now, I do have kind of blurry vision but I see light just fine.
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R
Ryqer Imnotgivingit•recently•edited
I think it normally has to do with the ganzfeld effect using what little info the eye sees to create something, It could be interesting if Aphantasia removes/reduces the ganzfeld effect or similar effects of sensory deprivation. I also have Aphantasia and I don't think I see anything if I close my eyes but I have no idea what the experience is for someone without Aphantasia.
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