Which phenomenon is characterized by the appearance of streaks in the visual field when the eyes are mechanically stimulated?

The phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streaks in the visual field when the eyes are mechanically stimulated is known as Moore's lightning streaks. This visual effect occurs when the retina is stimulated through physical means, such as pressing on the eyes or experiencing sudden movements. The resultant streaks are often described as bright flashes or streaks that appear in the visual field, mimicking the appearance of lightning.

Moore's lightning streaks are an interesting manifestation of how the visual system reacts to direct mechanical stimulation and highlight the complex relationship between visual perception and physical input. The phenomenon can help illustrate concepts related to retinal stimulation and neural processing of visual information.

Other options, such as vitreous floaters, refer to actual anomalies within the vitreous body of the eye that appear as spots or strands but do not involve the same streak-like perception. Haidinger's brushes describe an entirely different visual perception based on polarizing light interactions, and phosphenes typically involve seeing light without any light actually entering the eye, often through brain stimulation or other forms of non-mechanical stimulation. Thus, the uniqueness of Moore's lightning streaks lies in their direct correlation to mechanical eye stimulation resulting in visually distinctive streaks.