Solar eclipse causes eye injury reports in Germany and Italy

Following the solar eclipse on August 12, dozens of individuals have sought medical attention in Germany and Italy due to vision problems. In Germany, clinics in Mannheim, Stuttgart, Freiburg, and Tübingen reported patients experiencing headaches, dizziness, eye pain, blurred vision, and black spots in their field of vision.

In Italy, the Ospedale Oftalmico in Rome saw seven patients with suspected retinal damage, while Milan's Fatebenefratelli Sacco hospital recorded 117 admissions, including 14 cases of individuals who observed the eclipse without protection.

Medical experts warn of solar retinopathy, or solar maculopathy, which involves damage to the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. Because the retina lacks pain receptors, damage may not be immediately felt. Doctors emphasize that serious symptoms or retinal damage may only become apparent 24 to 48 hours after exposure. Authorities advise anyone who viewed the eclipse without certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses to seek a medical examination, even if they currently feel no discomfort.