Eye doctors in Ontario have reported that over 115 individuals who viewed the recent solar eclipse in the province have suffered from eye damage.
The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) disclosed that they have received a total of 118 cases of eye complications since April 8th, following the solar eclipse event earlier this month.
Among the reported conditions are inflammation of the cornea, dry eyes, and solar retinopathy, as stated by the OAO in a communication to CTV News Toronto. While inflammation of the cornea typically resolves within a few days, solar retinopathy can lead to permanent vision loss in severe instances, the spokesperson added.
“The severity of cases depends on which part of the retina is affected and how long the patient stared at the sun,” the OAO explained.
In anticipation of the solar eclipse, health and government authorities had issued warnings about the hazards of directly viewing the sun. Individuals who chose to observe the event were advised to utilize certified eclipse-viewing glasses to mitigate the risk of eye damage.
The OAO clarified that the reported cases were dispersed across various regions of the province, spanning from Windsor to Ottawa. Despite the majority of Ontario not being in the path of totality, where the sun is entirely obscured by the moon’s path, cities like Hamilton and Niagara Falls, which were in the path, experienced significant cloud cover during the event.
The presence of cloud cover, along with the widespread use of eclipse glasses, is believed to have contributed to limiting the number of reported eye complications, according to the OAO.
Meanwhile, in Quebec, where certain areas of the province witnessed totality for a brief period, 28 cases of eye damage have been documented as of April 17th.
The aftermath of the solar eclipse underscores the importance of heeding safety guidelines and utilizing proper eye protection when observing such celestial phenomena.