How long does it take to get eye damage from looking at the sun?

Permanent damage to the retina has been shown to occur in ~100 seconds, but the exact time before damage occurs will vary with the intensity of the sun on a particular day (clouds and haze can weaken the sun’s rays) and with how much the viewer’s pupil is dilated (decongestants and other drugs will dilate pupils).

Can sunlight damage your eyesight?

The intense ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun can damage sensitive cells in the eyes, eventually affecting vision. Experts say it is difficult to isolate the exact amount of damage that UV radiation imposes on the eye over a long period.

Can you go blind by looking at the sun?

You won’t go blind. But be careful because it is very easy to damage your eyes with sunlight. You should never look directly at the Sun, with or without sunglasses, even during a solar eclipse, because that can cause a lot of damage to the eyes. Sometimes this damage can be permanent.

How much can the sun damage your eyes?

UV rays are one of the known causes of cataracts, a gradual clouding of the lens of the eye that can destroy vision. Cataracts develop slowly, but eventually will result in symptoms, such as blurriness, halos around lights and blurred vision. Experts say that sunglasses help prevent cataracts.

How long is too long to look at the sun?

You really don’t have to look at the sun for very long at all for photochemical toxicity to occur, says Schuman. Retinal damage could occur in just 30–60 seconds, and sometimes even less, he says.

How do you fix sun damaged eyes?

To fight the damage, try:

1. Skin-lightening creams: Products with hydroquinone can lighten skin.
2. Retinoids: Along with smoothing wrinkles, these compounds speed up the turnover and shedding of pigmented cells.
3. Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen freezes the area so that it peels away.

What happens if you stare at the sun for 5 minutes?

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.