Eye damage after the eclipse? OSF surgeon shares signs

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Some of us are still marveling over photos and videos we captured during Monday’s eclipse, while others may be questioning some interesting symptoms. An Urbana eye doctor says if you didn’t wear protective glasses, now is the time to be on the lookout for changes.

The damage can happen within seconds and the side effects can be seen just as soon. Most people may think it’ll go away in time like a simple sunburn, but in some cases, it can last a lifetime.

“Many times, we can actually see it on the exam,” said David Sola-Del Valle, an OSF eye surgeon. “When we look at the film in the back of the eye, we can actually see almost the imprint of the sun in the back of the eye.”

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If you didn’t have glasses, you probably looked at the eclipse through your phone’s camera. Sola-Del Valle says our bare eyes operate in the same way. The lens or iris opens up to let more light in.

“When they get a lot of light all of a sudden, especially for more than a few seconds during the eclipse, and you’re not using the right protection, you can actually kill those cells in the retina,” said Sola-Del Vella.

So if you looked with no protection and noticed it was easier to not look away, it was a reason for that.

“Part of the reason the eclipse is so dangerous to look at when it’s dark, is our pupils dilate and more light gets in,” said Sola-Del Vella. “But when it’s sunny outside, our pupils actually constrict. They get very small.”

That elongated gaze on the moon-covered sun may have cost your eyes more than you’re willing to pay. Missing spots in the vision, sun-shaped patches, and partially cloudy vision are just some side effects.

“You can actually end up getting something called solar retinopathy, which is the fancy term for essentially damage or permanent damage to that film in the back of the eye that we call the retina,” said Sola-Del Vella.

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Sola-Del Valle said he’s seen many patients over the years for this condition, but in most cases all that can be offered is support.

“Unfortunately, that there’s not there are not a lot of great treatments for it. Many times, as I said, you have to wait it out,” said Sola-Del Vella. “Obviously, at that point, you know, be seen. So at least you can get diagnosed and you know what’s happening.”

He said even if it isn’t solar retinopathy, being seen is the safest way to figure out what it is if you are experiencing symptoms. Sola-Del Vella says too much sun exposure to the eye can speed up cataract formation and macular degeneration and a simple pair of sunglasses is always a good idea.

Other symptoms of solar retinopathy are:

• Increased light sensitivity.

• Distorted vision.

• Changes in how you see color

• Vision-induced headaches.

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