Seeing Stars

[Aschenbach]

When I do a cartwheel, handstand or head-over-heels I can actually see 'stars' (like tiny pieces of floating glitter) for a second. What causes this phenomenon? Is it usual?

[patriciather]

Sounds like bloodpressure to me.,sorry but i dont know anymore on this-someone who has bloodpressure must know?

[mongos bird]

Hi Aschenbach,   back in my school days I was informed by my biology teacher that the phenomenon of 'seeing stars'  was caused by tiny pieces falling off your retina. 

[newtron]

A visual response caused by stimuli other that the normal entry of light into the pupil is called a phosphene. When you rub the back of your eyelids, the patterns that you see are phosphenes.  If you bump your head, you may see stars; these are phosphenes.  Apparently phosphenes can be caused in many different ways.  I don't know much about them but you can find more information if you google "visual phosphenes".