Did you look at today's eclipse with your naked eye? This is what an ophthalmologist has to say about it
March 9, 2016
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: Members of the public who stared at the solar eclipse with their naked eyes this morning may experience blurry vision over the next few days.
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu hospital consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sim Pek Eng said the condition, known as solar retinopathy occurs due to exposure to ultraviolet and infrared light.
“On normal days, the pupil of the eyes will constrict when looking at the sun.
“But during the eclipse, people will feel comfortable looking at the sky and the pupil will stay dilated and thus allow the ray to enter the eyes and causes photochemical injury to the retina,” she explained.
Besides blurry vision, those affected may also experience a symptom known as metamorphosia in which images seen are distorted in terms of size or shape.
She explained the severity of the damage depends on the duration of exposure to the ray.
“A few minutes can cause damage to the retina but children and fair-skinned people are more susceptible to developing solar retinopathy.
“However, solar retinopathy will not cause blindness and there is no treatment as the symptoms will resolve by itself within three to six months or up to a year,” Dr Sim explained, adding residual visual defect may persist and remain permanent.
Meanwhile, she suggested the best way to observe the phenomena was through reflection in water.
Other measures including usage of X-Ray films as a filter while looking at the eclipse are not advisable.
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sim Pek Eng explaining on part of eyes affected due to exposure from ultraviolet and infrared upon looking at the eclipse without filter. Pix by MOHD ADAM ARININ
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: Members of the public who stared at the solar eclipse with their naked eyes this morning may experience blurry vision over the next few days.
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu hospital consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sim Pek Eng said the condition, known as solar retinopathy occurs due to exposure to ultraviolet and infrared light.
“On normal days, the pupil of the eyes will constrict when looking at the sun.
“But during the eclipse, people will feel comfortable looking at the sky and the pupil will stay dilated and thus allow the ray to enter the eyes and causes photochemical injury to the retina,” she explained.
Besides blurry vision, those affected may also experience a symptom known as metamorphosia in which images seen are distorted in terms of size or shape.
She explained the severity of the damage depends on the duration of exposure to the ray.
“A few minutes can cause damage to the retina but children and fair-skinned people are more susceptible to developing solar retinopathy.
“However, solar retinopathy will not cause blindness and there is no treatment as the symptoms will resolve by itself within three to six months or up to a year,” Dr Sim explained, adding residual visual defect may persist and remain permanent.
Meanwhile, she suggested the best way to observe the phenomena was through reflection in water.
Other measures including usage of X-Ray films as a filter while looking at the eclipse are not advisable.
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sim Pek Eng explaining on part of eyes affected due to exposure from ultraviolet and infrared upon looking at the eclipse without filter. Pix by MOHD ADAM ARININ
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