"Eclipse Eye Safety: Understanding Symptoms and Risks"

Concerns about eye discomfort have risen following the solar eclipse, with Google searches about "hurt eyes" spiking after the event. Eye experts warn that looking at the sun without protection can cause vision damage, including solar retinopathy, which may not cause immediate pain. Symptoms of solar retinopathy, such as blind spots or blurry vision, should prompt immediate medical attention. While cases of long-term damage after eclipses are rare, it only takes a few seconds of unprotected sun gazing to cause harm, emphasizing the importance of eye safety during such events.