U of M Expert Alert: Solar eclipse and eye safety

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (03/28/2024) — On April 8, parts of North America will experience a total solar eclipse. While this is an incredible sight, using protective eye equipment is critical. 

Sandra Montezuma, MD, with the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview, speaks about why looking directly at a solar eclipse is dangerous and how people can safely enjoy the event.

Sandra Montezuma, MD

“Staring directly into the sun or watching a solar eclipse can cause eye damage known as solar retinopathy or eclipse retinopathy. The retina is the nerve tissue layer that lies in the back part of the eye and is very sensitive to light. The injury is similar to thermal burns caused by a laser and harms the cells in the eye that help you see. Even a short duration of exposure — as little as a few seconds of fixation on the sun during the eclipse — can cause injury to the macula, which is located in the central part of the retina. This damage could result in temporary vision loss, blurred vision, distortion, or permanent vision loss.”

“During the eclipse, it is important to protect your eyes. When the moon blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection. Viewing the eclipse through binoculars, a camera lens, a telescope or regular sunglasses is not safe either. If you decide to watch this spectacular phenomenon, you need to wear eclipse safety glasses approved by the American Astronomical Society — carefully inspect your safety glasses and don’t use any that are scratched or damaged. Because Minnesota is outside the path of totality where only a partial solar eclipse will be visible, there is no safe time to look at the sun without eclipse glasses.” 

“There is no proven treatment for solar retinopathy. The visual problems experienced after watching a solar eclipse can continue for several months. It could resolve without treatment, but in some cases, it can lead to permanent blurred vision and/or blind spots that interfere with activities like reading. The main management is prevention and education. Children are especially susceptible and must always be supervised during a solar eclipse.”

Contact
Sandra Montezuma, MD
Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School

Email: mednews@umn.edu

Download a high resolution photo of Dr. Montezuma.

Dr. Sandra Montezuma is a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and retina specialist with M Health Fairview. Her research interests include stem cell research for age related macula degeneration, retina imaging, retinal implants, age-related macular degeneration, ocular trauma and inherited retinal dystrophies.

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