Wellness Wednesday

How to Tell if You Have Eclipse Eyes (Disclaimer: This Isn't a Good Thing)

Worried that Monday's eclipse may have damaged your eyes? Here are some ways to tell if those few seconds of darkness may permanently keep you in the dark.

Monday's eclipse was awesome, especially if you were in the 'Path of Totality'. Regardless if you were lucky enough to snag a place on Air BnB or a camping spot in someone's backyard, you probably heard or saw enough about it on some form of social media. In fact, it was the top trending topic of the day in the US, next to 'how to know if the eclipse damaged your eyes'. Despite numerous disclaimers and warnings from medical professionals everywhere, there were still some people that may have caught a glimpse of the great event without the proper eye attire. So, if you're one of those people who are worried about permanently losing your eyesight, or at least damaging it, here are some signs to look for that will either put you at ease or send you to your physician.

Here are some answers to questions you might have regarding possible eye damage:

• It takes at least 12 hours for the damage to take effect. That means if you're not having any problems seeing right now (i.e. spots missing in your vision) you're in the clear. If you looked at the eclipse through a phone or glasses, you're definitely in the clear as well. Eye damage can only take place with those who stared directly at the sun.
• If your eyes hurt even when wearing the glasses, it's because you were only using the receptors that are responsible for blue and green light. Once you take the glasses off, you're being exposed to a vast amount of colors on the color spectrum and your eyes are overwhelmed which causes the pain some might have experienced. 
• If you are experiencing vision loss or damage, you should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible to see what can be done. Staying indoors does not prevent you from doing any more damage than being outside would, however, staying indoors may feel more comfortable due to the customized lighting available.