Eye doctors and specialists have issued a list of symptoms to watch out for if you have looked at the sun during the partial eclipse. The best solar eclipse in decades occurs tonight (August 12) when more than 90% of the sun will be obscured by the moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm.
Symptoms to watch for
Moorfields Eye Hospital has listed potential symptoms to be aware of after looking at the sun, PA reports, including:
- Eye pain
- Redness
- Grittiness or irritation
- Blurred vision
- Distorted vision
- New dark spots in your vision
- Sudden changes in sight
“If someone has looked at the sun and subsequently develops any of (these) symptoms, they should seek urgent medical attention,” Alex Ionides, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital and Moorfields Private, said.
Safety precautions
Only special solar eclipse glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection should be used to view the eclipse, experts have said. Sunglasses do not offer sufficient protection.
Mr Ionides said: “One of the most common misconceptions is that a partial eclipse makes it safe to look at the sun.
“In reality, even during an eclipse, the sun remains bright enough to damage the delicate tissues of the eye.
“The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that allows us to see.
“When you look directly at the sun, the bright light and ultraviolet radiation can damage retinal cells. This condition is known as solar retinopathy.
“Solar retinopathy can develop after only a short period of exposure. The damage may not be painful, so people often do not realise there is a problem until hours later.
“Symptoms can include blurred vision, distorted vision, reduced colour perception, difficulty reading, or a dark spot in the centre of vision. In some cases, the effects improve over time, but permanent vision loss can occur in some cases.”
Mr Ionides added: “Many people assume that ordinary sunglasses will protect their eyes. Properly accredited UV sunglasses are essential for everyday wear to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful effects.
“Unfortunately, sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection against looking directly at the sun, particularly for prolonged periods.”
Historical precedent
Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse. Around 40% had looked at it for less than a minute.
Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: “The safest way to enjoy the eclipse is to observe it indirectly, such as by watching a live broadcast.”
