Why does looking at an eclipse hurt your eyes

why does looking at an eclipse hurt your eyes

Why does looking at an eclipse hurt your eyes?

Answer: Looking directly at a solar eclipse can seriously damage your eyes and even cause blindness. The reason behind this is that the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can harm the delicate tissues in your eyes.

During a solar eclipse, the sun’s rays are still strong even though they may be partially obscured by the moon. When people stare at the sun during an eclipse, the UV radiation can burn the retinas of their eyes, leading to a condition called solar retinopathy. This can cause permanent damage to the retina, resulting in vision problems or even complete blindness.

The retinal damage caused by looking at an eclipse is painless, which is why many people may not realize they are damaging their eyes until it is too late. It is crucial to always use proper eye protection like eclipse glasses or solar filters to safely view a solar eclipse and prevent any harm to your eyes.