The moon causes the light of the sun to be blocked from reaching earth, casting a shadow on earth. A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks the sun. A partial solar eclipse is when the moon only blocks part of the sun. This exposure to the light can cause damage or even destroy cells in the retina the back of the eye that transmit what you see to the brain.
This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred.
If you notice symptoms after viewing a solar eclipse, seek treatment from an eye care professional. The only time that you can safely view a solar eclipse without special equipment is during a total solar eclipse. This is when the moon completely covers the sun. It is never safe to look at a partial solar eclipse without proper safety equipment or techniques. During the very brief time the sun is in total solar eclipse it is safe to look at it, but do so with caution.
Even during the total solar eclipse, the total eclipse may last only a short period of time, and if you are looking towards the sun as the moon moves away from blocking the sun, you might get a solar burn on your retina which can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Talk with your eye care professional to determine the best viewing option for you. Learn about the procedure of scleral buckling and how long it takes to recover. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye on the inside. It is located near the optic nerve.
Anthropophobia is a fear of people. Typically, a fear of people is associated with…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O. What happens to your eye? What happens when you stare at the sun for too long? What are the symptoms of eye damage from staring at the sun?
When to see an eye doctor. Treating eye damage. Preventing damage to your eyes. The bottom line. Read this next. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois.
It's thought that this damage happens when photons light particles create free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can "poison" cells and kill them, Van Gelder said. The damage occurs in the fovea, a spot in the retina that is responsible for sharp, central vision. As a result, patients with solar retinopathy may have blurry vision or a central blind point in their eyes, according to the AAO.
Many patients with solar retinopathy recover from their symptoms, but some have lasting vision problems. For example, in a study of 15 patients in England with solar retinopathy from viewing an eclipse in , all but two had normal vision on an eye exam 8 to 12 months later.
Still, even some patients with normal vision on an eye test had subtle eye symptoms, such as a small blind spot in their vision. But staring at the sun is unlikely to result in total blindness , or loss of both central and peripheral vision, because solar retinopathy typically doesn't damage peripheral vision, Van Gelder said.
Because of the dangers, the AAO recommends that people not spend any time looking directly at the sun with their naked eyes. There is one exception to this rule — if you're in the path of a total solar eclipse, you may look at the sun with your naked eyes during the brief time when the sun is in "totality," meaning the sun's bright face is completely blocked by the moon.
The length of totality will vary depending on where you view the eclipse, but at most, this event will last 2 minutes and 40 seconds, according to the AAS. They threaten our retinas will burn up and we'll be blind forever. Is this really true or are they repeating an old urban myth?
Even a quick glimpse of the sun is usually painful and difficult, so our natural instinct is to immediately squint and turn away. Beware … damage will occur! When you stare directly at the sun—or other types of bright light such as a welding torch—ultraviolet light floods your retina, literally burning the exposed tissue.
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