
People under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs, like LSD, have been known to find themselves mesmerized by the eclipse and unable to look away. You could also damage your phone.Īvoid using recreational drugs during a solar eclipse event. You’re very likely to accidentally look at the sun while you line up your camera. It’s also not recommended to try to view a solar eclipse through your smartphone camera’s “selfie” mode. Viewing the sun through a telescope or binoculars, which magnify the sun’s rays, has been shown to cause the worst damage. Never view the sun through binoculars, regular sunglasses, a telescope, or a camera lens.
WILL STARING AT THE SUN DAMAGE YOUR EYES FREE
Free eclipse glasses are often available at your local library prior to an eclipse event. As the eclipse date nears, the glasses may be harder to find. If you know a solar eclipse will be viewable in your area, consider grabbing a pair of solar eclipse glasses as soon as possible. There are varying degrees of damage that are possible. The American Astronomical Society provides a long list of approved eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers. Staring at the sun can cause damage, and it can happen quickly. It may be tempting, but you should never look at the sun directly during a solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Encourage them to wear a hat and sunglasses when outdoors. If you have kids, make sure you make it clear that they shouldn’t stare directly at the sun. Children may also not fully understand the consequences of staring at the sun for too long. Younger eyes may transmit more light to the retina. It’s important that your sunglasses protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB light.Ĭhildren are at a particular high risk of solar retinopathy. People who participate in water sports, like surfing, should also wear eye protection that blocks 100 percent of the UV rays from the water. On sunny days, make sure to wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. We serve residents of Kirkland and Redmond, WA.Since there are no effective treatments available for reversing solar retinopathy, prevention is very important. Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause eclipse blindness or retinal burns, also known as solar. Call (425) 771-8472 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. Get in touch with our eye doctor today for the best eye care and eyewear services in the area. and 4 p.m., which is the period when the sun is at its most intense.Īs full-service eye care specialty clinics, Alderwood Optical & Canyon Vision Clinic diagnose and manage eye diseases, working closely with patients to develop personalized care plans that help preserve vision and quality of life. If possible, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. Whenever you’re going out, be it on a vacation or on your deck in your yard, make sure to wear your sunglasses and a brimmed hat to reduce the impact of bright light. Rather than risk temporary to permanent damage, it is best that you learn to protect your eyes from sun overexposure.

You may be prescribed pain relievers or antibiotic eye drops to alleviate said symptoms, as well as recommend home remedies such as using a cold compress.

While they can last from six to 24 hours, it is a must that you visit your local eye doctor if you are experiencing serious vision loss or any extent of vision loss that doesn’t improve.

The longer the exposure, the more intense these symptoms can be. Symptoms associated with this eye disease include the following: It is the inflammation of the cornea or the clear covering of the front of your eyes. The risk is cumulative, which means the longer your eyes are exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with the eye diseases mentioned above.ĭeveloping photokeratitis is one of the most obvious signs of sun overexposure. The effects of sun overexposure on your eyes don’t happen in an instant.
