Eye experts warn of damage from looking directly at solar eclipse
Parkland optometrist shares tips for having a memorable and safe viewing experience
On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cover a large part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in darkness, a phenomenon that won’t be happen again in Texas for hundreds of years. Optometrists at Parkland Health are reminding individuals of the importance of proper eye safety during this once-in-a-lifetime experience to avoid damaging your vision.
“We’ve always been told to never look directly at the sun, but during a total solar eclipse so much of the sun is covered that a person may be tempted to stare at it directly. Looking directly at any part of the sun is unsafe, and that doesn’t change during an eclipse,” said Geoffrey Abraham, OD, optometrist at Parkland. “It is possible to suffer serious and permanent eye damage and there is no treatment to restore lost vision.”
Both Parkland optometrists and astronomers say eclipse viewers can safely witness the event by preparing ahead of time and buying the correct safety equipment. Certified eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet specific safety standards will be marked as ISO 12312-2. This means that the lenses meet international requirements for direct solar viewing, according to the American Astronomical Society (AAS).
Unfortunately, counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses are floating around. To test your eclipse glasses, the AAS recommends trying them on indoors first. Nothing should be visible through the lenses, and even the brightest lights should only appear very faintly. The AAS also recommends trying them on outside during a sunny day. If you are able to see objects beyond faint bright light or faint reflections of the sun then the glasses aren’t safe to view the eclipse.
Maybe you didn’t prepare properly or don’t have the certified eyewear but don’t want to miss out on the event. What’s the risk if you just take a quick glance?
“Looking at a solar eclipse without the correct eyewear even for a moment can cause what is known as ‘eclipse blindness,’ or retinal burns, when the cells in the retina get damaged or destroyed and can no longer properly transmit what you see to the brain,” Dr. Abraham said. “A couple glances here and there may seem harmless, but they will add up and increase your risk of permanent damage.”
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye that sends signals to your brain, enabling our vision. If you’ve ever had the sun hit your eyes while driving for example, you often feel discomfort or pain before looking away. Dr. Abraham explains that the pain signifies cells of the retina becoming overstimulated, which sends off signals to the pain centers in the brain, making you look away.
The sun emits high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause damage to the cells of the entirety of the eyes' surface and the back of the eye. In addition to UV radiation, the sun also emits infrared radiation, which can generate heat. Direct exposure to intense sunlight can cause thermal damage to the eyes, leading to inflammation, tissue damage and discomfort.
Dr. Abraham warns of the following damaging effects of improper and unsafe eclipse viewing as well as general eye exposure to the sun:
- Premature aging: harmful UV rays from the sun can cause wrinkling, loss of elasticity and even cancers of the skin around your eyes.
- Pterygium: growths on the front of the eye that occur over time in people who spend much of their day outside without sun protection.
- Cataracts: cloudy areas that slowly develop over time in the lens of your eye. You can reduce the rate at which these develop by always using sunglasses when enjoying the outdoors.
- Macular degeneration: the sun can increase your risk for damage to the retina and vision loss due to macular degeneration.
- Cancers of the eye: many kinds of cancers can develop in the eye and the skin around the eye. UV blocking sunglasses can significantly reduce your risk of developing these types of cancers.
In addition to safe viewing for the solar eclipse, Dr. Abraham recommends always using UV protective eyewear (UV400 or 100% UV protection) and SPF to help reduce the risk of developing these and other negative consequences of UV exposure.
Enjoying the cosmic event with friends and family? “Remember that children are especially at risk, as young eyes transmit more light to the retina than adult eyes, making children’s eyes more susceptible to damage. They also may be more tempted to look up since it will feel unusually dark for that time of day,” Dr. Abraham reminds us. “Let them know what to expect while emphasizing the importance of eye safety and remind children to keep their eclipse glasses on until they go back indoors.”
To ensure the safest, most memorable experience experts urge you to plan ahead. The Texas Department of Transportation shares the following travel and safety tips:
- Expect heavy traffic and sudden stops by drivers.
- Be on alert for distracted pedestrians looking to the sky.
- Keep your headlights on while driving, even in the daylight.
- Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.
- Always keep your eyes on the road. Only view the eclipse once safely parked away from the flow of traffic.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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