How long stare at sun blind

All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Already a subscriber? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Preventing UV rays from gaining access to your eyes will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Wear sunglasses with maximum UV protection : Not all sunglasses offer the same level of protection against harmful UV rays.

For an added level of sun protection, consider wrap-around sunglasses, which also protect your peripheral vision. Wear wide-brimmed hats : Many different types of hats can protect you from the sun, including wide-brimmed hats, sun hats and ball caps, so you can defend your eyes and face from UV rays at any outdoor occasion. Limit your time in the sun : Of course, the best way to avoid sun damage is to avoid going out in the sun. Not only does the sun damage your eyes, but it wears down and ages your skin, too.

To meet your Vitamin D quota , you need only about 15 minutes in the sun each day, between 10 a. Will looking at the sun really make you blind?

October Australian Academy of Science. Why Shouldn't You Stare at the Sun? September June The Skin Cancer Foundation. The information provided on this page should not be used in place of information provided by a doctor or specialist.

To learn more, read our Privacy Policy and Editorial Policy pages. Symptoms of Staring at the Sun The damage that can occur as a result of staring at the sun solar retinopathy can cause a variety of symptoms. Mild cases may result in: Discomfort when looking at bright lights. Watery eyes. Eye soreness. In more serious cases, symptoms might include: Blurry vision.

Trouble discerning shapes. A blind spot in the center of vision. In some cases, multiple blind spots occur. Reduced color vision. Distorted vision. Beware … damage will occur! When you stare directly at the sun—or other types of bright light such as a welding torch—ultraviolet light floods your retina, literally burning the exposed tissue.

Short-term damage can include sunburn of the cornea—known as solar keratitis. This results in light sensitivity and pain, with symptoms generally showing up within 24 hours of exposure. More serious damage is known as solar retinopathy.