Eclipse Warning – Children At Most Risk
0th December
Associate Professor Stephen Dain, Head of UNSW's School of Optometry and Vision Science, and Professor Minas Coroneo, Head of UNSW's Department of Ophthalmology, have added to warnings that people planning on watching tomorrow’s solar eclipse should not look directly at the sun.
The fact that most of NSW will experience a partial eclipse increases the risk of eye damage because viewers’ eyes could be exposed to the full light of that part of the sun not obscured by the moon. The Professors are also particularly concerned that children should not be allowed to observe the eclipse without responsible adult supervision.
“Children are especially at risk because the structures in their eye transmit more ultraviolet and also because they are less likely to behave in an appropriate fashion,” they said.
"Various filters are marketed for viewing eclipses. Although there have been some questions over their appropriateness we believe that some are safe if used responsibly.
“We believe that supervised use of an appropriate filter is a more effective precaution than prohibition of the filters and the risk of unsupervised and unprotected viewing. However, indirect viewing remains the totally safe way to watch an eclipse.
"An appropriate filter is only the first element in safe viewing of eclipses. The second issue is its appropriate use. Many eye conditions related to solar exposure are linked to radiation reflected from the environment. The general advice to wear wrap-around sunglasses and a broad brimmed hat still applies.”
The Professors said that commonly recommended ways of observing the Sun, such as looking through highly exposed photographic film, could still be dangerous because ultraviolet and infra-red radiation (heat) may pass through the film.
“The amount of visible light is greatly reduced but infra-red or ultra-violet [radiation] might still be able to pass. The very dark filter allows the pupil of the eye to expand, increasing the potential for radiation to enter the eye, so the ultraviolet and infrared also must be controlled. Focusing this radiation on the retina leaves a small ‘blind spot’ in your central vision area. This is usually permanent but in cases of mild damage the retina can repair itself over some months.
“On experience gained from other solar eclipses we would expect a significant number of people in Australia to damage their eyes by looking at the sun tomorrow. In 1999 in Leicester, UK, there were 45 cases from a population of about one million,” they said.
They also advised people with eye disease and those who have had cataract surgery to be cautious, and pointed out that some drugs and medications sensitise the eye to ultraviolet damage.
Contact Details: Associate Professor Dain, tel. 9385 4639 or Professor Coroneo, tel. 9382 2480 or Rory McGuire, Faculty of Science, tel. 9385 2940, mob. 0413 930 728.
The fact that most of NSW will experience a partial eclipse increases the risk of eye damage because viewers’ eyes could be exposed to the full light of that part of the sun not obscured by the moon. The Professors are also particularly concerned that children should not be allowed to observe the eclipse without responsible adult supervision.
“Children are especially at risk because the structures in their eye transmit more ultraviolet and also because they are less likely to behave in an appropriate fashion,” they said.
"Various filters are marketed for viewing eclipses. Although there have been some questions over their appropriateness we believe that some are safe if used responsibly.
“We believe that supervised use of an appropriate filter is a more effective precaution than prohibition of the filters and the risk of unsupervised and unprotected viewing. However, indirect viewing remains the totally safe way to watch an eclipse.
"An appropriate filter is only the first element in safe viewing of eclipses. The second issue is its appropriate use. Many eye conditions related to solar exposure are linked to radiation reflected from the environment. The general advice to wear wrap-around sunglasses and a broad brimmed hat still applies.”
The Professors said that commonly recommended ways of observing the Sun, such as looking through highly exposed photographic film, could still be dangerous because ultraviolet and infra-red radiation (heat) may pass through the film.
“The amount of visible light is greatly reduced but infra-red or ultra-violet [radiation] might still be able to pass. The very dark filter allows the pupil of the eye to expand, increasing the potential for radiation to enter the eye, so the ultraviolet and infrared also must be controlled. Focusing this radiation on the retina leaves a small ‘blind spot’ in your central vision area. This is usually permanent but in cases of mild damage the retina can repair itself over some months.
“On experience gained from other solar eclipses we would expect a significant number of people in Australia to damage their eyes by looking at the sun tomorrow. In 1999 in Leicester, UK, there were 45 cases from a population of about one million,” they said.
They also advised people with eye disease and those who have had cataract surgery to be cautious, and pointed out that some drugs and medications sensitise the eye to ultraviolet damage.
Contact Details: Associate Professor Dain, tel. 9385 4639 or Professor Coroneo, tel. 9382 2480 or Rory McGuire, Faculty of Science, tel. 9385 2940, mob. 0413 930 728.
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