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From: mmccall@emoryu1.cc.emory.edu (Malinda McCall)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Blinded by Eclipse...Not UL
Date: 19 May 1994 15:58:55 -0400

Yes, you can get blinded by staring at a solar eclipse.

A random sampling of medical articles:

1. Juan Lopez, M. Pena Corona, MP. [A strategy for preventing health injuries due to observing the solar eclipse in Mexico]. Article in Spanish. SALUD PUBLICA DE MEXICO, 1993 Sept-Oct. vol 35, issue 5, pp 494-9.
2. Istock, TH. Solar retinopathy: a review of the literature and case report. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION. 1985 May. Vol 56, issue 5. pp 374-82.
3. McIntyre, DJ. Phototoxicity. The eclipse filter. OPTHALMOLOGY. 1985 Mar. vol 92, issue 3. pp 364-5.
4. Billore, OP. Shroff, AP. Vasvada, KA. Superficial keratitis following solar eclipse burn (report of 6 cases). INDIAN JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. 1982 July. vol 30, issue 4. pp 355-6.
5. Kabra, A. Solar eclipse 1980--its ophthalmic effects. INDIAN JOURNAL OF OPTHALMOLOGY. 1982 July. Vol 30, issue 4, pp 303-4.
6. Dhir, SP. Gupta, A. Jain, IS. Eclipse retinopathy. BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY. 1981 Jan. vol 65, issue 1. pp 42-5.
7. Chhabra, HN. (sic) Solar retinitis. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF ZAMBIA. 1978 Aug-Sept. Vol 12, issue 4. pp 103-4.

Other journals/titles:
Isr-J-Med-Sci. (Israel) "Solar retinopathy: visual prognosis in 20 cases."
Oftalmol-Zh. (Russia, Bulgaria? Unsure--do not own) "[Burns of the eyes received while observing a solar eclipse]."
Klin-Monatsbl-Augenheilkd. (Germany)
"[Impression of a partial eclipse of the sun on the macula after observation of the sun (author's translation)]."
Bull-Soc-Ophtalmol-Fr. (France) "[Eye burns caused by solar eclipse]." Med-J-Aust. (Australia) "Eclipse of the sun: a warning." Sight-Sav-Rev. (USA) "Eye injuries and the solar eclipse. Results of a survey."
Med-Arh. (Again, Russia? Unsure.) "[Partial rupture of the maculae luteae diagnosed 6 years after looking into the sun during eclipse]."
Ann-Ocul. (France) "[2 cases of macular burns after watching a solar eclipse]."

Lesson for today: Do not stare at the sun. Sun burn eyes. No look at sun. Bad, bad. :)

Malinda McCall
Ophthalmology Librarian