Could my eyes be damaged?!
Question: Could my eyes be damaged?
I looked out the window and accidentally looked at the sun for a very short moment and looked away as it started hurting immideately, so I didn't look at it even a second. Now there are some of these you know these lines and spots which are first green and then purple which come from looking at some light. But these lines and spots have been on my eyes longer than usual, about 5 minutes when usually they are about 2-3, is this just because the sun is brighter than other light sources, and could this have damaged my eyes? Should I be worried? Do you have some own experience? Thanks!
Answers:
You're probably fine, if you only looked at the sun briefly it's not bright enough to cause permanent damage. Any light residue (like if you stare at a lamp for too long) varies how long it takes to go away, it's just the cells behind your eyes have been stained for a few minutes. I believe Galileo lost his sight from looking at the sun, but he would stare at it for long periods of time AND he was using a telescope!
Optical Lab Technician.