On Monday afternoon, millions of Americans had the opportunity to witness a rare solar eclipse, but while some adhered to safety guidelines by wearing protective glasses, others risked eye damage by viewing the event with their naked eyes.
Directly observing the sun during a solar eclipse, or at any time, can result in permanent eye injury. The eclipse is only safe to view with the unaided eye during totality, the brief period when the moon completely obscures the sun.
Eye specialists stressed the critical importance of wearing proper eclipse glasses during the event to prevent potential harm. Dr. Cynthia Beauchamp, a pediatric ophthalmologist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, explained the risks involved, highlighting the possibility of sunburn-like damage to the eye and the more severe condition known as solar retinopathy, which can cause blurred vision and central vision blind spots.
Symptoms of solar eye damage, also known as solar retinopathy, include watery eyes, color distortion, headaches, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, eye pain, metamorphopsia (distorted vision), micropsia (objects appearing smaller), and scotoma (blind spots). Individuals experiencing these symptoms are urged to seek immediate medical attention as they may indicate eye injury.
To ensure the safety of eclipse glasses, several precautions should be taken. Genuine eclipse glasses should have silver lenses on the front and black interiors, without any tears or punctures. They must be certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), with the ISO logo and IS 12312-2 code printed on the inside. Additionally, eclipse glasses should effectively block out most light except for bright sources.
Despite safety warnings, some individuals may disregard precautions, but it’s crucial to remain vigilant, even in cloudy weather. Dr. Beauchamp emphasized that clouds do not provide protection against solar damage, underscoring the importance of using eye protection regardless of weather conditions.
