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‘Only people with super-vision’ can see hidden optical illusion effect in snap

No one really understands why optical illusions work.

Often these brainteasers trick the mind into seeing something that’s not actually there.

Now new research found the mystery behind optical illusions hides in the eyes and not deep inside the brain.

READ MORE: Optical illusion determines personality depending on what you see first in snap

A study from the University of Exeter debunked the idea that illusions emerge from complex psychological processes.

Instead brainteasers are simpler than what scientists and philosophers first thought.

Visual illusions are often caused by limits in the way eyes and visual neurones work, the study suggested.



Optical illusion
The optical illusion could leave you scratching your head

Paper author Dr Jolyon Troscianko said: “Our eyes send messages to the brain by making neurones fire faster or slower.

“However, there’s a limit to how quickly they can fire.

“Previous research hasn’t considered how the limit might affect the ways we see colour.”

For example, this optical illusion has a bar in the middle of the image which is filled with just one shade of grey.

But it appears lighter on the left, then darker on the right due to the gradient in the background.

Dr Jolyon added: “This throws into the air a lot of long-held assumptions about how visual illusions work.”

The good news is that if you’re able to see through the illusion, the study suggests you’re hawk-eyed.

Dr Jolyon also claimed the findings look at the popularity of high-definition TVs.

He claimed modern HD TVs create bright white regions that are over 10,000 times brighter than their darkest black.

It’s down to the eyes and brain which can handle this contrast as a puzzle, Dr Jolyon explained.

He concluded: “The model shows how our neurones are precisely evolved to use every bit of capacity.”

So what do you see in the optical illusion? Let us know in the comments below!

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