Solar Eclipses Can Cause Eye Damage

A variety of eye diseases can emerge due to the harmful UV rays emitted by the sun.

• Cataract: A condition that arises from the opacification of the lens inside the eye and gradually reduces vision. Although known as an age-related disease, environmental factors also play a significant role, and it is known that UV exposure increases the frequency of cataracts.
• Pterygium: While genetic predisposition is important, UV rays are the most crucial cause. In addition to symptoms like redness, irritation, and tearing, it can also cause vision reduction in the eye.
• Macular Degeneration: Also known as age-related macular degeneration, it is caused by UV rays and can lead to permanent vision damage.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Known commonly as eye allergy, it presents with symptoms such as burning, stinging, itching, and tearing of the eyes and can recur. It is predominantly seen in spring and summer months. When the patient's immune system is allergic, conjunctivitis may be accompanied by asthma and allergic rhinitis.
• Corneal Burn: An eye disease caused by the harmful rays of the sun, resulting in burning, redness, tearing, and pain in the eye. Many patients who try to observe solar eclipses with the naked eye consult eye clinics for this reason.

How Do Solar Eclipses Affect Our Eye Health?

The sun is a constant threat to eye health due to the harmful UV rays it emits, not only during eclipses but at all times. People who wish to observe solar eclipses may increase the level of eye damage by looking more directly and for longer periods at the sun during this time, potentially resulting in vision loss. Observing the sun through means such as cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without appropriate filtration mechanisms can also harm our eye health. Specially manufactured glasses for solar observation are available for watching solar eclipses. If observation is desired, solar eclipses can be viewed using these glasses or appropriately filtered telescopes.

Symptoms like eye tearing, burning, and a sensation of rubbing may start to develop as a result of looking directly at the sun. The reason for these symptoms is the beginning of damage to the eye cells. Although the symptoms usually disappear within a few days, partial damage to the eye may occur, and it is beneficial to have an eye examination. If the duration of sun exposure is prolonged, the light and color sensitivity mechanisms located deeper in the eye may begin to be damaged, leading to permanent vision loss.

What Can We Do to Protect Our Eyes from the Sun?

• Using glasses and a wide-brimmed hat is important for protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun, but it is still not recommended to look directly at the sun even with these.
• When choosing sunglasses, care should be taken to ensure they are CE certified and provide 100% UV protection.
• If the sunglasses are polarized and in shades of amber rather than very dark colors, it increases visual comfort.
• Although the sun is perceived as a threat to eye health, especially in the summer months, it can harm eye health in all seasons. It is important to take the necessary precautions year-round.
• Advanced medical equipment can detect eye diseases without symptoms during routine eye check-ups. It is recommended to have an eye examination once a year, even if you do not have any symptoms.

Solar Eclipses Can Cause Eye Damage

A variety of eye diseases can emerge due to the harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. This risk increases significantly during solar eclipse periods because people may tend to observe the eclipse directly. This poses a serious threat to eye health.

Eye Diseases That Can Arise from the Harmful Effects of the Sun

• Cataract: A condition resulting from the opacification of the lens inside the eye, reducing vision. Although known as an age-related disease, UV exposure is known to increase the frequency of cataracts.
• Pterygium: While genetic predisposition is important, UV rays are the most crucial cause. It can cause redness, irritation, tearing, and vision reduction in the eye.
• Macular Degeneration (Age-Related Macular Degeneration): A serious eye disease that UV rays can cause, leading to permanent vision loss.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis: Appears with symptoms such as burning, stinging, itching, and tearing of the eyes. It is frequently seen in spring and summer months.
• Corneal Burn: A condition due to the harmful rays of the sun, presenting with burning, redness, and pain in the eye. It is commonly seen in people looking at the sky with the naked eye during a solar eclipse.

How Does a Solar Eclipse Affect Our Eye Health?

The sun emits intense UV rays that can threaten eye health not only in daily life but also during solar eclipses. Eclipse moments are special times when people tend to look at the sun with the naked eye for extended periods. This poses a great risk to eye health. The primary reason solar eclipses are harmful to the eyes is that these rays can cause irreversible damage to the retina.

Looking directly at the sun can quickly lead to symptoms such as eye tearing, burning, and a sensation of rubbing. These symptoms indicate that the eye cells are beginning to be damaged. As exposure time increases, the cells responsible for light and color perception may suffer permanent damage. This can result in permanent vision loss.

Observing the eclipse with devices like telescopes, binoculars, or cameras also carries great risk. These devices can intensify the UV rays, causing even more significant damage to the eye. Therefore, the effects of a solar eclipse on eye health should be taken seriously, and the necessary precautions must be taken.

Measures We Can Take to Protect Our Eyes from the Sun

• The use of sunglasses and a brimmed hat is important. However, these protection tools are not sufficient for looking directly at the sun.
• Sunglasses with CE certification and 100% UV protection should be preferred.
• If sunglasses are polarized and amber/brown colored, it enhances visual comfort.
• The sun's effects can threaten eye health not only during summer but throughout the year. Therefore, protection measures should be taken year-round.
• Annual eye examinations are essential for the early detection of eye diseases. Regular check-ups are recommended even if there are no symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a solar eclipse harmful to the eyes?

During a solar eclipse, people tend to look directly at the sun for extended periods, allowing UV rays to harm the retina. These rays can lead to permanent vision loss.

What glasses should be used during a solar eclipse?

Only specially manufactured, CE-certified, and ISO-certified solar observation glasses should be used to watch solar eclipses. Regular sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection.

What kind of damage can looking at the sun cause to the eyes?

Short-term exposure can result in complaints such as tearing, burning, and stinging. Prolonged exposure may lead to permanent retina damage, impaired color perception, and even vision loss.

What should be done if discomfort is felt in the eyes after a solar eclipse?

If there is pain, tearing, or visual disturbance in the eyes, a visit to an eye doctor is recommended. Early intervention can prevent potential permanent damage.