What are the mechanisms that cause eye injury during unsafe solar observing?
The eye will transmit most of the radiation between 3800 and 14,000 angstroms to the retina. This will result in retinal burns. Exposure to high intensity visible light triggers a complex chemical reaction within the rod and cone cells of the retina. These reactions impair the ability of the eye to respond to light and in extreme cases can destroy the cells. The injured observer experiences a temporary or permanent blindness. Light of blue or green color is most likely to cause these injuries. When red and infrared light enters the eye, it is absorbed by the dark pigmented epithelium just below the retina. The light is converted into heat which burns the exposed tissue. A process called photocoagulation destroys the rods and cones, leaving a permanent blind are on the retina. This kind of damage can also occur as a result of extended exposure to green and blue light. BOTH TYPES OF INJURIES OCCUR WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE VICTIM. There are no pain receptors on the retina to alert the
