title: Optical illusions in clinical dermatology: the Mach band phenomenon and afterimages.
abstract: A survey of dermatologists was conducted to determine whether the perceptions of afterimages and Mach bands impacted on clinical dermatology practice. 26.5% (13/49) of respondents indicated that they perceived one or both of these optical illusions. No false-positive potassium hydroxide interpretations of skin scrapings for hyphae were reported due to perceived afterimages, and no skin biopsies were reportedly performed as a result of Mach bands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Shriner
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bloomquist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000360:Afterimage; D000368:Aged; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009903:Optical Illusions; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*