As search terms like “eyes hurt” and “headache from eclipse” spike after solar eclipses, rest assured you’re not alone in ignoring warnings against looking at the eclipse without proper safety glasses (and no, sunglasses won’t cut it).
There are lots of tips out there for how to safely watch the eclipse, and if you used the right eye protection, you shouldn't have any symptoms from viewing the eclipse. But if you stared directly into the sun anyway, you might want to know what the consequences may be. Here’s what to know if you think you hurt your eyes watching the eclipse.
How to know if you hurt your eyes during the eclipse
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, your eyes hurting after the eclipse isn't necessarily a sign of a problem. “Damage from the eclipse is unlikely to cause pain or discomfort in your eyes because the retina does not have any pain nerves," Susanne Medeiros wrote for the AAO. "Instead, you would notice visual symptoms within four to six hours. But some may notice symptoms after 12 hours.”
The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology describes the symptoms for solar retinopathy (when intense light energy injures or damages the retina) as often including the following:
- A “blind spot” in one or both eyes
- Abnormal color vision
- Twisting or warping of the central vision
- Seeing objects smaller than they actually are
- Headaches
The Cleveland Clinic notes that mild solar retinopathy can include symptoms like watery eyes and sensitivity to light as well.
How to treat solar retinopathy and other symptoms caused by the eclipse
The bad news is that there’s no treatment for solar retinopathy, but it’s still important to see your eye doctor as soon as possible if you experience any pain or impairment in your vision.
There, the ophthalmologist will scan your eye to assess and confirm your diagnosis, according tot he AAO. While many will recover after three to six months, some might experience permanent vision damage.
How do you prevent further eye damage from the next eclipse?
The American Astronomical Society has extensive guidance on how to view a solar eclipse safely, including tips on solar viewers, as well as what to do if you’d like to observe the eclipse but don’t happen to have a viewer or ISO certified glasses.
