I see light blotches of no particular shape with a black background. I suppose the light areas correspond to the light areas from what was in my field of view just before closing my eyes. But maybe not. Do they fade if I keep my eyes closed for some minutes? I don't know.

An interesting question. I'll see what I see if I wake up at night. I suspect it may look more dark and less light but I'll try it.

Exactly what Elmer posted…splotches of light/black background. The light areas in view with open eyes become dark. The light from a large window becomes dark with closed eyes.

Yes there is the immediate effect ... like the bright spot you see if someone's taken your picture with a flash. But I'm talking about at night in the dark, before you fall asleep.

Apparently it's called phosphenes as your retina and the neurons in your brain are in constant communication and the retina will keep firing at random.

It looks like a black background with dark grey cloud - like random splotches similar to what others have reported, except my whole field of "vision" is overlaid with what looks like a finer version of the static or snow that was between TV stations when you would change channels. This is going to sound really strange, but in the past when I have looked into the darkness and studied it, I always see an image of my great - grandmother as if I am looking at a picture of her because she always looks the same and isn't moving. It is a little strange, but I am used to my weirdness.

i’ll have to pay attention when I wake up in the middle of the night. But related question: What do you see when your surroundings are lit?

For me, and my daughter, everything is pixilated. It's more obvious in dim light, but it's always there. A plain white wall is not purely white, there are infinite dots jumping around.

Like tinnitus, the brain helps tune it out but once I'm paying attention to it, it's hard to ignore.

Presuming you know what "floaters" are, something that most people have to some degree, is what you're describing different from and in addition to floaters?

Completely different. I'm familar enough with floaters to where I’ve seen specialists about them.

What I’m talking about I best describe as pixelated vision. Although I see that term used with a disorder I don’t think I have. Entire field of vision. I googled it once and saw it's just how some people see. I don't recall if I found a name for it, or how prevalent it is.

Ok the answer to the ACTUAL question is, I see that stuff people are describing all night long. Mainly blues and purples against a black background, sometimes an orange glow. Sometimes there’s a geometric pattern, like a windowpane.

I have limited control over what I see. Once it’s there I can hold it for a bit or adjust just a little. I remembered some childhood memories of these visions.

Mine are deep purple lights, that look an awful lot like the Northern Lights. I will focus on those if I am having trouble falling asleep. It's like my own personal light show, and generally helps me turn off my brain and go to sleep.

Another thing I've found interesting is sometimes when I meditate the colors will change...

Interesting question. I almost always see colors when meditating. Usually indigo, white or gold. Sometimes magenta but it depends on the meditation really. I have been taken on some beautiful journeys via guided mediations.

I just cleared my field of lights and then closed my eyes to see what I see. I see a static dark greyish color like and old tv that is off maybe? If I really focus it seems to get pixilated. Probably a good thing because if I saw a color show every time, I would never get to sleep. 🌈💜