View the Eclipse Safely with These Expert Tips
Treatment TermsEye careRetinal disease
Author
Sarah Avery
Overview
As excitement about the Aug. 21 solar eclipse builds, it ’s important to know how to safely view the event and understand how even everyday exposure to the sun can damage vision. Duke retina specialist and ophthalmologist Lejla Vajzovic from the Duke Eye Center shares her insights.
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How does the sun damage eyes?
ContentAnytime you stare at the sun, you risk damaging your eyes, because the sun causes a physical burn at the back of the eye. The retina is essentially an extension of the brain, and it ’s made up of very thin cells, and when you stare at the sun, this can burn those sensitive cells. The damage might not be immediate – you could stare at the sun and your vision might seem fine for the rest of the day – but then the next morning awake and be shocked that your eyesight is impai red or even gone.
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Are some people more susceptible to damage?
ContentPeople who have any kind of macular degeneration – which affects the central part of the eye – need to be especially cautious with any sort of sun exposure. And anyone who has retinal dystrophy/degenertation, cataracts, or skin cancer should also take care to protect their eyes when outdoors.
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Couldn ’t I just fleetingly look at the eclipse and avoid problems?
ContentIf you are in one of the parts of the United State...
Source: dukehealth.org: Duke Health News - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: dg62 at duke.edu Source Type: news
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