Did I ruin my eyes?

Probably not!

But if you are worried, make an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible.

What is Solar Retinopathy?

Can you get it by watching an eclipse?

Not if you do it safely! If you wore ISO-compliant solar glasses, watched through a telescope with a solar filter, or used a pinhole camera, it is VERY unlikely that you have damaged your eyes in any way.

If you directly viewed through standard sunglasses, a welding visor, or any other non ISO-compliant viewing medium, including home-made glasses, you may have injured your eyes. If you experience new or worsening symptoms, it is strongly recommended you make an appointment with an eye doctor.

Can it get better?

Solar Retinopathy, or Photic Retinopathy, is damage done to the eye’s retina from prolonged unprotected exposure to solar radiation or other bright light, including lasers or arc welders. It can present as reduced eyesight, spots in the field of vision, or blind spots. Symptoms typically begin shortly after exposure, up to a few days later.

As with any kind of injury, recovery varies from person to person and by severity. However, most people completely recover with no treatment within two months. Your doctor may or may not prescribe a dose of steroids. As always, defer to your doctor over a webpage.