Do not look at the sun with unprotected eyes

Tips from the health department for the eclipse

03/20/2015

To watch the eclipse without risking eye damage, a so-called SoFi glasses with protective filter film should be placed. A special coating prevents too much light from getting into the eye. Because the UV radiation can damage the retina. In the worst case, blindness threatens the unprotected view of the sun. Experts give tips on what to do in an emergency.

Protect eyes from UV radiation
If the SoFi goggles slip or crack for a moment, the gaze may inadvertently hit the sun directly. For days, experts have been explicitly warning of such cases in the light of today's solar eclipse. Because the eyes should be protected from direct UV radiation. In normal sunlight, an innate reflex ensures that we protect our eyes from bright light. During a solar eclipse, however, we intentionally look directly into the sun. The reflex does not work and the protective reaction is paralyzed.

If greenish spots appear in the field of view after looking directly into the sun, this can be a warning signal. If the situation gets worse, sufferers should consult a doctor in any case. Because even a brief glance may be sufficient to damage the retina of the eye so severely that the vision diminishes partially or completely. The cornea of ​​the eye and the lens of the eye focus the incoming UV radiation so strongly that it can burn the place of sharp vision. Patients develop conjunctival or conjunctivitis as a result. A lens opacity is also possible if the radiation changes proteins in the lens. If the retina is damaged, blindness is threatened by macular degeneration.

With aching eyes after looking in the sun immediately to the doctor
As the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) informs, the body gives no warning signal, because the retina has no pain receptors. When you feel pain „Is it late“, so the BfS.

About six hours after the burn, similar to the sunburn, the first pains appear. Patients should seek medical attention immediately. This is true even if they see a black spot in front of them that does not disappear. „The ophthalmologist will then give anti-inflammatory drugs to help the cells recover as well as possible“, cited „Focus Online“ Georg Eckert from the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists in Germany (BVA). But that does not always help.

The BfS informs about the requirements that goggles should fulfill in every case: „For direct observation of the sun, only protective or film goggles should be used which are clearly intended for this purpose and which have special filter characteristics. At most 0.001 percent of the sunlight may come through.“ (Ag)