Srinagar, June 21: With solar eclipse beginning at 11.58 am and culminating at 1.41 pm in Kashmir Valley, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today warned that looking directly at the sun during eclipse with bare eyes could cause permanent damage to eyes.
In a statement President DAK Dr Nisar -ul -Hassan said that watching solar eclipse without protective gear could lead to permanent reduction in vision and even blindness.
“The solar eclipse will begin in Bhuj Gujarat at 9.58 am and will end in Assam at 2.21 pm, but in Kashmir valley it will begin at 11.58 am and will end at 1.41 pm, ” DAK said .
The body of medicos said that people should not stare at the sun without eye-protection
“Staring directly at sunlight can burn and potentially scar your retina which is home to the light-sensing cells that make vision possible. It only takes few seconds to do permanent damage. Once retinal cells are dead, the damage can’t be undone, ” it said .
It further said that the damage is so painless that people don’t realise that is happening. “There are hundreds of reported cases of eye damage caused by solar eclipse,” it said, adding that only safe way to view eclipse directly is by using eclipse glasses. “Viewing it through sunglasses or photographic film is unsafe. Even binoculars, telescopes and cameras should be fitted with solar filters, “It further said.
