Creepy optical illusion leaves people baffled after staring at it for just a few seconds

An optical illusion has left people online seriously spooked.

Optical illusions have long held mass appeal due to their ability to trick our perception with clever uses of colour, light, and patterns that often produce images far removed from reality.

These deceptively designed images fascinate because they don't affect everyone in the same way - in some cases, people can't see the illusion at all. They're not just entertaining; they offer a glimpse into the complex relationship between our eyes and our brain, and how they work together.

One optical illusion has sparked a flurry of attention online, leaving some completely engrossed and others a little unnerved. Circulating on TikTok courtesy of Magic Eye Guy, the image initially seems to show a variety of colourful shells arranged neatly in a pattern.

However, there's more than meets the eye. Accompanied by instructive audio, the TikTok video gently guides the viewer: "Wait, this isn’t just a picture, it’s a stereogram - let me teach you how to view it. Turn the screen sideways, hold it close to your face, and slowly move it away while not focusing and a 3D image should appear."

A stereogram is a visual illusion where a 2D image creates the impression of depth when viewed correctly. Social media enthusiasts were quick to dive into the comments section of the post, eager to share their experience.

One individual exclaimed: "I finally saw something!! I still couldn't tell what it was but, I saw it!" Another shared their shock: "THAT WAS TERRIFYING IT WOULDN'T GO AWAY," and yet another said: "This is the first stereogram that I’ve been able to see."

Puzzled, another asked for guidance: "Help! Where do I focus? In the middle? In the corners? up? Down? I just can’t,"