Optical illusions have captivated people for centuries, tricking our brains into questioning what we actually see. Ever encountered an eye test where the number on the screen isn’t always what you think it is? The number you perceive can vary from person to person, and that’s what makes optical illusions so fascinating. But why does this happen?
Take this example: Most people see the number 571 at first glance, but if you focus or squint, other numbers like 574, 579, 174, or even 365 might appear. So, what’s going on here?
The answer lies in how our brains process images. Optical illusions exploit visual tricks that confuse our brain. When we look at something, our brains use context, patterns, and prior knowledge to interpret it. Sometimes, those visual cues can mislead us. In this case, the varying numbers we see come from how our brains interpret the subtle contrasts and shapes in the image.