(CNN) - It seems a lot of viewers of Monday's eclipse were left feeling a little weird afterward, even if they wore protective glasses.
Google searches for “my eyes hurt” and “eyes hurt eclipse” spiked immediately after the celestial event.
Looking directly at the sun can cause solar retinopathy, which is retinal damage from exposure to solar radiation. It can also cause photokeratitis, also known as “snow blindness,” which is damage to the topmost layer of the cornea.
Experts say some symptoms of eye damage after viewing an eclipse aren’t immediate. Here are some things to look out for:
- Blurred vision that doesn’t improve in one or both eyes, especially the central part of the visual field
- Wavy or otherwise distorted vision
- Difficulty telling colors apart
- Headache, pain or sensitivity to light
- Seeing “spots” or “holes” in vision
People who think they may have had an accidental exposure to the sun during the eclipse should immediately make an appointment with a doctor of optometry for a comprehensive eye exam.
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