Did you look at the eclipse without glasses? “Symptoms can appear in days”

Mislanders of people did not miss the solar eclipse that happened this Wednesday, August 12. Despite the many warnings that have been made regarding the protection of vision, ophthalmologists are alert to possible eye lesions that may appear in the future. 

Jordi Gascón, from Bellvitge Hospital, highlighted the first symptoms that anyone may notice after observing the eclipse without protection. 

“Loss of vision, whether generalized or in the form of spots that hinder the visualization of objects in the field of view, and distortions in the lines of objects in the field of view itself. It is not expected to happen immediately, but it will appear in the coming days”, highlighted in statements to Telecinco. 

According to Eclipse 2026, observation of the astrological phenomenon without adequate protection could cause irreversible damage to the eyes. 

Although direct light does not cause pain at the moment, it can cause burns in the retina, leading to symptoms referred by Gascón and even permanent loss of vision.

In turn, a guide from the General Health Directorate stressed the importance of contacting the SNS24 in case you notice the following warning signs:

– Distorted or blurred vision; 
– Vision with black spots/spots; 
– change in color perception; 
– Sudden decrease or loss of vision;
– Intense eye pain.

Main health effects:

Sunburn in the eye (solar retinopathy)

• It occurs without any pain, because there are no retinal pain receptors;
• Usually there is damage or destruction of photoreceptors (light sensitive cells);
• Eye damage is not noticeable until signs/symptoms appear, often hours or days later.

Blind

This can occur in an extreme situation and can be irreversible. Loss of
vision may not be immediately apparent.

Psychological impact

• It may be associated with feelings of surprise, anxiety or fear of changes in the environment caused by a total solar eclipse;
•  Lightening reduction in broad daylight;
• Local temperature decrease;
• Local change of wind;
• Reduction of environmental noise;
• More elongated shadows and strange shapes;
• Early closing of flower petals;
• Sounds of unforeseen awakening of nocturnal animals and gathering
  haste of daytime animals;
• Progressive visualization of the solar disk to be covered until it almost disappears and, at the time of the total eclipse, a ‘ring’ of light.