Visual neuroadaptation is why what we perceive is different to what we see. We see too much to analyse it all, so our minds process, filter, modify & interpret what we see. Neuroprocessing and neuroadaptation are underestimated brain phenomena which we don’t fully understand, but which we’ve been aware of for a long time. A century ago, Henri Bergson wrote that “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend”.
Here are some examples of neuroprocessing and neuradaptation of what we see:
> If we stare at a red dot for longer than 30 seconds, then look at a blank paper we perceive a faint green afterimage.
> An optical illusion is confusing because our minds can’t accept what we see, but we can adapt and accept it with time.
> We notice moving objects, we’re less aware of stationary objects.
> After a while in the dark, we adapt to seeing better in the dark.
So, when we get a new pair of varifocal glasses, or multifocal intraocular lens implants or have just had laser eye surgery, we may have some unwanted visual symptoms. But the incredible visual system in our minds adapts, ignoring the unwanted images, like glare or blur, and enhancing useful visual information to improve what we see. It’s called neuroadaptation. Our minds change what our eyes see so that we see better. We don’t just see with our eyes, what we see is adapted by our minds.
But neuroadaptation takes time, and some people adapt quicker than others. In this age of Amazon Prime we expect perfect results the next day. We’re impatient. And if we concentrate on the unwanted visual imperfections, neuroadaptation takes even longer. One person’s vision correction heaven can become another person’s vision correction hell with glasses, intraocular lenses, or laser eye surgery.
Therefore, vision correction surgery isn’t for everyone, and patience is important after treatment. Someone who is frustrated with every visual imperfection with their glasses is less likely to adapt quickly to vision correction lens or laser eye surgery. With time our eyes see to their full potential if our minds are prepared to comprehend and adapt. Visual neuroprocessing and neuroadaptation is why what we perceive is different to what we see.
