Episode 5: Why do bright lights make us see spots?

Every time we look at the sun — or a camera flash goes off right in our eyes — we end up seeing spots.

But what are those spots, exactly, and why do we see them?

It all starts with the cornea, the transparent tissue through which light first enters the eye. The light makes its way to the back of the eye, where tiny, light-sensitive cells known as photoreceptors translate it into images the brain can understand. But when that light is too bright, those photoreceptors are forced to scramble behind the scenes to process the excess.

In the new episode of “Boddities,” I take a look inside the eye to get to the bottom of bright spots.

Watch other “Boddities” episodes: