If you have any of these symptoms after looking at the solar eclipse you need to see a doctor

Everyone rushed out to catch a glimpse of the full solar eclipse on Wednesday night as it was the first one since 1999, but if you’re experiencing any of these eye symptoms after looking at it, you need to see a doctor.

People were strongly advised to get a pair of special solar eclipse glasses, or use a colander, when staring directly at the eclipse, as it can be really dangerous for your eyes. Even sunglasses don’t provide sufficient protection when looking at the sun for prolonged periods of time.

But solar viewing glasses were like gold dust this week, with queues up to two hours long and prices reaching £25, so many may have been tempted to take a peek without any eye protection.

The NHS’s Moorfield Eye Hospital explained: “The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that allows us to see. When you look directly at the sun, the bright light and ultraviolet radiation can damage retinal cells. This condition is known as solar retinopathy.”

“Solar retinopathy can develop after only a short period of exposure. The damage may not be painful, so people often do not realise there is a problem until hours later,” they continued. “If someone has looked at the sun and subsequently develops any of the following symptoms, they should seek urgent medical attention.”

The symptoms of eye damage after the solar eclipse you need to watch out for are:

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• Eye pain
• Redness
• Grittiness or irritation
• Blurred vision
• Distorted vision
• New dark spots in your vision
• Sudden changes in sight

“Symptoms can include blurred vision, distorted vision, reduced colour perception, difficulty reading, or a dark spot in the centre of vision. In some cases, the effects improve over time, but permanent vision loss can occur in some cases,” Moorfield Eye Hospital continued.

An qualified eye doctor will be able to determine if there’s a problem and provide sufficient treatment options.

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Featured image credit: Shutterstock