Warning from man whose eyes were damaged by eclipse

Peter Smith, from Taunton, has warned people to use eye protection when watching Wednesday's solar eclipse after suffering permanent eye damage 27 years ago. Smith viewed the solar eclipse in 1999 using a borrowed welder's mask, believing it would protect his eyes from the sun's rays. However, the next morning, he noticed flashing in his eyes and headaches, and discovered both of his retinas had been damaged.

He emphasized the importance of using the right protection, stating that any damage caused to the eyes is permanent and irreparable. Smith still feels the residual effects of looking at the eclipse directly, with occasional flashes of light appearing when he's tired. Optometrist Sarah Farrant echoed Smith's concerns, warning that even during a partial eclipse in the UK, people can still damage their retinas and macular at the back of the eye.

She advised using certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard or viewing the eclipse indirectly, such as through a kitchen colander, to safely enjoy the astronomical event.