Eye discomfort the day after the eclipse: should we worry?

BarcelonaThe day after the total solar eclipse that captivated thousands of people across Catalonia, some people may begin to experience eye discomfort or minor ocular alterations, such as blurred vision. In the last few hours, the Medical Emergency System (SEM) has received 115 calls to 061 Salut Respon related to this historic astronomical event, of which 37 were for ophthalmological issues, and the Department of Health warns that some ocular symptoms may appear hours or days after observing the eclipse. Thus, the question is inevitable: If symptoms appear, should one worry? Can they truly be a consequence of the astronomical phenomenon, or can worry or hypervigilance intensify them?

The data available so far do not indicate that a wave of serious eye injuries has occurred. This was corroborated by the manager of the Terres de l'Ebre health region, Ferran Roche, who explained this Thursday on Catalunya Ràdio that, in general, it had been a calm day and that many of the calls corresponded to discomfort that could be resolved without problems. Health authorities indicate in their online recommendations that if, hours or days after observation, difficulties focusing, spots in the visual field, or blurred vision appear, an ophthalmologist should be consulted.

However, not everyone who observed the eclipse and notices eye discomfort today needs to rush to the emergency room. But eye injuries in these circumstances can take hours (or even days) to appear, so direct damage cannot be ruled out. How do we know, then, if the eclipse has caused us harm? We need to be attentive to changes in vision.

The problem is in the retina

The most important element is the sun protection that was used during the eclipse. Looking directly at the Sun without specific and approved protective glasses can cause an injury known as solar retinopathy, which occurs when intense sunlight causes a photochemical injury to the retina, especially in the central area, the macula. The damage can affect photoreceptors and produce alterations in central vision. And here is one of the keys to understanding what can happen after the eclipse: the symptoms do not necessarily appear at the same moment of exposure and the lesions are not painful, because the retina has no pain receptors.

In the hours following exposure, among the most characteristic signs of ocular damage are blurred vision and the appearance of a spot or dark area in the center or near the center of the visual field. Alterations in color perception or distortions of straight lines can also occur. Studies of exposure cases during eclipses have described symptoms that usually appear between one and four hours after looking at the Sun, although there are also cases where the alterations become evident later.

According to the manager of the Terres de l'Ebre health region, Ferran Roche, if discomfort or a visual spot appears, you should go to your reference health center.