It hasn't been long since some lucky Earthlings saw a total solar eclipse this year, but doctors are reporting an increase in eye-related injuries in areas that fall in the path of totality.
The number of people with eye-related injuries rose, while a doctor in New York City says he treated many patients with eye pain. New York Post reported.
“I've had a lot of patients come in panicking, saying, 'I don't want to be blind,'” says Dr. Janet Neshievat, a double board-certified physician in New York City. Fox News Digital. “I couldn't believe it, people actually saw the eclipse without protection.”
Doctors and ophthalmologists have consistently advised people not to look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse without protective equipment such as solar eclipse glasses, as this can cause severe vision damage.
But some did not heed the warning.
As stated therein New York Post,Google searches for “eyes hurt” and “why do my eyes hurt after the eclipse” after Monday's moon-sun conjunction.
The sun's rays can burn the retina and damage the macula, the part of the retina at the back of the eye responsible for central vision, says Nesheivad.
According to a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Center for Health Statistics has no data on eye damage following the eclipse.
But Nesheivad says that after treating eight patients in midtown Manhattan, one patient looked at the sun either directly or by phone for about 10 minutes, he says.
“If the retina is severely damaged by direct viewing without proper eye protection, the damage can be irreversible. Some people may have mild symptoms with brief exposure to the sun.”
While most people take safety precautions when viewing the eclipse, some may have used solar eclipse glasses that were recalled as fakes.
