15 Indians suffer burned retinas watching solar eclipse

Jaipur: Young people aged between 10 and 20 suffered permanent vision damage after watching the December 26 solar eclipse, a doctor says.

Kamlesh Khilnani, head of the ophthalmology department at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, said 15 cases of burned retinas had been reported, with the patients unlikely to regain normal vision.

“Watching solar eclipse with naked eyes can result in solar retinitis,” Khilnani said.

“Fifteen such cases have been reported at the hospital. Our examination has found that a part of their retina had been burnt.”

He said the problem takes 3-6 weeks for a patient to recover partially.