Eclipse: of Americans use sunscreen in the eyes

solarseven

Published the 03.09.2017 at 09h06

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Everyone knows : look at the sun with the naked eye can be very dangerous for our eyes. During the total solar eclipse that took place on the 21st of August last, of Americans who did not have goggles did not, however, deprived of the spectacle. To protect themselves, they have found a solution for the less preposterous…putting sunscreen directly in the eyes.

Trish Patterson, nurse at Prestige Urgent Care in Redding, California, told the american channel KRCR News : “One of my colleagues told me that yesterday, several patients came to the clinic suffering from being put on sunscreen in the eyes. They were redirected to an ophthalmologist.”

But what is it that has been able to go through the head of these Americans that they make such a thing ? It must be said that Donald Trump has not contributed to provide the good example. The president of the United States has, in fact, admired the eclipse without eye protection.

Irreversible retinal damage

The eclipse is an astronomical phenomenon rare, caused by a perfect alignment between the earth, the sun and the moon. This last seems to overshadow the sun. A perfect alignment between the earth and the two stars is therefore rare. When it occurs, it is a total eclipse, where the sun appears completely covered by the moon, which can be observed. The last date in France and dates from 1999.

To enjoy it, it is better to prepare for it. Look at an eclipse directly without protection, may, in fact, cause significant damage to the eyes. They can be of two types. Lesions of the cornea are related to the radiation, ultra-violet rays of the sun. They cause pain, but they disappear after a few days.

The retinal lesions, in contrast, are caused by the thermal effect of the rays, and can permanently alter the view. The only way to effectively protect themselves : wear special goggles, opaque to normal light, sold most often in the pharmacy or opticians.