It is common knowledge that looking at the sun during a solar eclipse is bad.
But how bad can it really be?
Dr. Kalyn Gregory with Steinbach Professional Eyecare says it can cause solar retinopathy.
“That is where the sun can kind of burn a hole through the retina, right where you see best out of. You wouldn’t notice any pain while this is happening, and then your eye would be permanently damaged from just looking at the sun for long periods of time”
She explains how solar retinopathy would affect your vision.
"You might notice that you have a blind spot in the very center of your vision, so wherever you're looking, right in the very center, you would not be able to see anything anymore.
Dr. Gregory says other symptoms can include blurry vision, distortion in your vision, sore eyes, and also watery eyes.
Although sunglasses are effective when it’s bright in the summer, they aren’t effective against a solar eclipse.
This is because they don’t have the same filter that solar eclipse glasses have.
“So it's really important that if you are wanting to watch the eclipse, that you put on these solar eclipse glasses. And also make sure that they're not scratched or damaged, if they are, then they are not safe to use.”
She says if you have access to solar eclipse glasses, it’s important you use them the whole time you observe the solar eclipse.
“Put them on for the entire time and don't remove them until after you're done looking and you've looked away.”
Dr. Gregory advises against attempting to make your own solar eclipse glasses at home.
“I know everyone probably wants to be watching as much as they can, but there really isn't any material that you could make at home that would help protect your eyes from the solar retinopathy damage.”
With files from Carly Koop
Tue, Apr 30, 9:00 AM
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