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Is Long Exposure Of Eyes To Sunlight Harmful?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Question: Hello

I have always wanted to know the answer to this question:
In the Faroe Islands we have small soccer stadium; which makes it a problem when the sun is up; and today I was playing a soccer match and the sun was looking straight for us for 45 minutes.

Ofcourse you never look directly into the sun but you look at the ball which is up in the air much of the time and looking forward in-directly at the sun. when i look up I block the sun with my hands so I don't get blinded.

what I wanted to know is it harmful for my eyes; or is this totally safe ?
I don't have pain or anything; but just a little bit tired in my head after the match. I just wanted to know the answer to this ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Never good to look directly at sun.

Detailed Answer:
My dear
Thanks for sending your query to us.
It is always to be avoided to look directly at the sun.The sun rays ,once they are focused directly on the retina can cause a burn,which has no treatment and the eyesight is permanently reduced.Though eye has defence mechanism by contracting the pupil to reduce the incoming light,but your exposure may be so sudden that these mechanisms do no come into action.
please do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (1 hour later)
Okey; but what is your answer; is it unlikely this was harmful for me or ??
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Direct sunlight burns retina.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to me.
Damage to retina is related to duration and intensity of sunlight exposure.You apparently do not have damage as there are no related complaints. It is a warning that such exposures are to be avoided.
Any further issues, do get back to me.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. N K Mishra

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :1977

Answered : 1297 Questions

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Is Long Exposure Of Eyes To Sunlight Harmful?

Brief Answer: Never good to look directly at sun. Detailed Answer: My dear Thanks for sending your query to us. It is always to be avoided to look directly at the sun.The sun rays ,once they are focused directly on the retina can cause a burn,which has no treatment and the eyesight is permanently reduced.Though eye has defence mechanism by contracting the pupil to reduce the incoming light,but your exposure may be so sudden that these mechanisms do no come into action. please do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.