Admire the sunshine—but don’t stare at it! Looking directly at the sun—even for a short time—can seriously damage your eyes. It might seem harmless, especially on a bright day or during an eclipse, but the sun’s powerful rays can cause permanent harm to your vision.
The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) light, which can burn the sensitive tissue at the back of your eye, called the retina. This kind of injury is known as solar retinopathy. Think of it like a sunburn but inside your eye. It can happen quickly, and what’s scary is that the retina doesn’t have pain sensors—so you won’t feel it happening.
People who suffer from solar retinopathy often don’t notice the damage right away. A few hours later, they might see blurry spots, have trouble recognizing faces or shapes, notice a dark or blind spot in the center of their vision, or experience faded colors. Sometimes, this damage doesn’t go away.
Even during a solar eclipse, when the sun is partially covered, it’s still dangerous to look at it directly without special protective glasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for looking at the sun.
To keep your eyes safe, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays when you’re outside. And if you’re ever watching a solar eclipse, only use certified eclipse glasses or viewers.
Over time, too much sun exposure can also increase your chances of developing cataracts or macular degeneration—both of which can lead to vision loss.
