Eclipses are incredible events, and watching an eclipse is a phenomenal and enjoyable experience. However, solar light can severely damage the human eye. In order to be safe, you should wear eye protection. Eclipse glasses are one such form of protection. When you wear eclipse glasses, you can safely view the direct light of this type of eclipse.
Possible Damage
Retinal eye damage is one of the main bodily damages that can occur from eclipse watching.
Retinal Burn Damage
When an eclipse is viewed directly (without proper protection, such as eclipse glasses), retinal damage may occur. The condition created by such damage is called “solar retinopathy.” The part of the eyes known as the “macula” and the “fovea” are especially damaged during eclipse exposure. Choroidal damage may also occur. This condition causes sight damage. Although the eye may recover during the next three to six months, some permanent damage may remain.
Specific Damages Caused By Solar Retinopathy
Specific damage may involve severe changes in retinal pigment epithelial cells, including plasma membrane changes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum swelling, and changes in the structure of lipofuscin granules. Photoreceptor changes also took place. Such differentiation from the norm included vesiculation of photoreceptor lamellae, fragmentation of photoreceptor lamellae, whirly within disc membranes, mitochondrial swelling, and nuclear pyknosis.
Pathophysiology of Solar Retinopathy
Retinal tissue is damaged via a photomechanical method. Free radicals are believed to be the cause of photomechanical damages. The free radicals are believed to perform these photomechanical damages by way of two possibilities. The first tentative cause is that free radicals are formed when the absorption of light energy by a molecule spurs an electron into an excited state. Free radicals then form as a way for the excited electron to return to a “ground” state. The second proposed cause involves light energy absorption causing excitement and subsequent direct energy transfer from an intra-retinal chromophore to oxygen. This process then creates oxygen species.
Wear Proper Protection
When viewing an eclipse, make sure that you wear proper protection. Since the sun’s light is dimmed during an eclipse, you are more easily able to stare at the sun without harm. This ability can be dangerous because, despite its dimmed light, the sun’s rays are as potent as ever. In order to safely view an eclipse, be sure to wear eclipse glasses.
