I have experienced visual "ink blots" in dim light for years. It usually happens when I wakeup during the night. At first, I was alarmed and asked my ophthalmologist about it. He didn't have much to say on the problem and even seemed reluctant to discuss it. So, I did my own research on the net and this is what I learned.
* People often see all kinds of patterns as the brain tries to make sense of what the eye sees when it can no longer receive needed info from the retina.
* It is an uncommon symptom of AMD and was noted by Charles Bonnet in the 1700s and is named for him.
* Understanding what it is makes all the difference in reacting to it when it occurs. It is not mental illness.
* See brightfocus.org and/or macularsociety.org for more information.