A man who suffered permanent eye damage by watching the 1999 solar eclipse has warned people to use protection when watching Wednesday’s astronomical event.
Peter Smith, from Taunton, viewed the solar eclipse 27 years ago wearing a borrowed welder’s mask having thought it would provide protection from the sun’s rays.
But the next morning he noticed flashing in his eyes alongside headaches and later discovered both of his retinas had been damaged. He is now asking people to use appropriate eye protection to enjoy the eclipse safely.
Smith said: “Make sure its got the right protection and filters to stop any damage because any damage you get, it’ll never heal. It’s not like cutting your hand.”
Smith said he still feels the effects of looking at the eclipse directly.
“Even now there is a residual impact. When I’m tired sometimes a flashing dot might come back, and it’s not nice when it does.
“If you’re going to go and watch it, make sure that everything you’ve got is correct.”
