Chances are you read the warnings, too. Or maybe you had gotten a text from your mom reminding you not to look directly at the sun during the eclipse without protecting your eyes. Many people who claim to have stared directly at the eclipse took to Twitter to express their concerns.
And the social media panic probably isn't helping if you're legitimately concerned about your eye health. Experts warned us repeatedly that starting directly at the sun without protective eyewear can cause eye damage and result in serious or permanent vision loss.
But how can you tell if you've actually injured your eyes and which symptoms might require a trip to the doctor? We spoke to two eye experts to find out: Dr. Solar retinopathy is like a sunburn on the retina, a layer of tissue at the back of your eye, Habash tells BuzzFeed Health. As we previously reported , this can cause the center of your vision to turn into a grey or black spot, making it hard to focus on things like reading, driving, or even just seeing the people in front of you.
That said, you probably won't go completely blind from staring at the sun. While some people with solar retinopathy can make a full recovery over time, severe damage from solar retinopathy can cause permanent loss of vision. Since there are no effective treatments available for reversing solar retinopathy, prevention is very important. On sunny days, make sure to wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. People who participate in water sports, like surfing, should also wear eye protection that blocks percent of the UV rays from the water.
Children are at a particular high risk of solar retinopathy. Younger eyes may transmit more light to the retina. Children may also not fully understand the consequences of staring at the sun for too long. Encourage them to wear a hat and sunglasses when outdoors. It may be tempting, but you should never look at the sun directly during a solar eclipse without proper eye protection. The American Astronomical Society provides a long list of approved eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers.
If you know a solar eclipse will be viewable in your area, consider grabbing a pair of solar eclipse glasses as soon as possible. As the eclipse date nears, the glasses may be harder to find. Free eclipse glasses are often available at your local library prior to an eclipse event. Never view the sun through binoculars, regular sunglasses, a telescope, or a camera lens.
You could also damage your phone. Avoid using recreational drugs during a solar eclipse event. People under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs, like LSD , have been known to find themselves mesmerized by the eclipse and unable to look away. While you might not feel any pain or sense any damage as you gaze at the sun, the risk of damage to your eyes is high.
Cataracts can create cloudy or double vision and sensitivity to light. Read more on how they form and what you can do to treat them. Your eye may hurt when you blink for a variety of causes, but eye pain treatments can help. Is it possible to heal sun damage?
How can you protect yourself? Surgery is a routinely safe and successful option for removing pterygia and pingueculae, and reversing the effects of cataracts. The best thing you can do for your eyes is take measures to shield them from sun damage. Preventing UV rays from gaining access to your eyes will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Wear sunglasses with maximum UV protection : Not all sunglasses offer the same level of protection against harmful UV rays. For an added level of sun protection, consider wrap-around sunglasses, which also protect your peripheral vision. Wear wide-brimmed hats : Many different types of hats can protect you from the sun, including wide-brimmed hats, sun hats and ball caps, so you can defend your eyes and face from UV rays at any outdoor occasion.
Limit your time in the sun : Of course, the best way to avoid sun damage is to avoid going out in the sun. Not only does the sun damage your eyes, but it wears down and ages your skin, too.
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