Here's why the eclipse can cause severe eye damage or even blindness:
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Intense Solar Radiation: The sun emits a vast amount of radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) rays and visible light. During an eclipse, the moon partially or completely covers the sun, but this doesn't reduce the intensity of the solar radiation significantly.
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Retinal Damage: The retina in your eye is very sensitive. Staring at the sun for even a short time can damage the cells in the retina, leading to permanent vision loss. The damage caused by solar radiation is often painless, so you might not realize it's happening until it's too late.
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No Pain Sensation: Unlike other parts of your body, your eyes don't have pain receptors that warn you of damage. So even if you don't feel discomfort while looking at the sun, the damage is still occurring.
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Temporary or Permanent Blindness: Directly staring at the sun, especially during an eclipse when the sun's brightness might be reduced, can cause solar retinopathy, a condition where the light-sensitive cells of the retina are damaged. This can result in temporary or permanent blindness.
