{"id":27046,"date":"2017-06-20T18:42:21","date_gmt":"2017-06-20T18:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preventblindness.org\/blog\/basic_page\/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T12:18:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T17:18:40","slug":"solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/preventblindness.org\/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar Eclipse Eye Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Solar Eclipses Eye Safety: Protect Your Eyes from the Sun!<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Never look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse (except during the very brief time the sun is in total eclipse; and even then, with caution). Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage to your eyes. \u00a0After viewing a solar eclipse, seek treatment from an eye care professional if you or your child have any changes in vision\u00a0that continue\u00a0to get worse.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

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What You Need to Know to Protect Your Eyes During the Upcoming Solar Eclipse<\/h2>\n

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Solar Eclipse + Your Eyes<\/h3>\n

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What is a solar eclipse?<\/h2>\n
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Solar eclipses occur when the moon moves between the sun and the earth. The moon causes the light of the sun to be blocked from reaching earth, casting a shadow on earth. A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks the sun. The sun\u2019s outer atmosphere (called the solar corona) glows around the moon when it is blocking the sun. A partial solar eclipse is when the moon only blocks part of the sun. Viewing a partial solar eclipse can expose your eye to the sun\u2019s rays causing damage to the eye.<\/p>\n

How can your eyes be affected by a solar eclipse?<\/h2>\n
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Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause \u201ceclipse blindness\u201d or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy. This exposure to the light can cause damage or even destroy cells in the retina (the back of the eye) that transmit what you see to the brain. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What are the eye symptoms that can occur from looking at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection?<\/h2>\n
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