palinopsia
Pronunciation: pal-in-OP-see-ah
Persistent or recurrent visual images that continue after the visual stimulus has been removed.
Full Definition
Palinopsia is a visual disturbance characterized by the abnormal persistence or recurrence of visual images after the original visual stimulus has disappeared. This phenomenon can manifest as afterimages that last longer than normal, trailing of moving objects, or the spontaneous reappearance of previously viewed scenes. Palinopsia typically results from lesions affecting the posterior visual pathways, particularly the temporal-occipital regions, and can be associated with seizure disorders, migraine, or various neurological conditions affecting visual processing areas.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from typical afterimages by duration and intrusiveness of the visual persistence.
In Context
- "The patient's palinopsia caused distressing visual trailing whenever objects moved across her visual field." — visual processing disorder evaluation