Peter Smith, from Taunton, sustained permanent eye damage 27 years ago after watching the 1999 solar eclipse with a borrowed welder's mask. He experienced flashing in his eyes and headaches the following morning, later discovering both his retinas were damaged.
Mr Smith is now urging people to use appropriate eye protection for Wednesday's solar eclipse, stating that any damage sustained will not heal. He still experiences a residual impact, with flashing dots sometimes returning when he is tired.
Sarah Farrant, an optometrist from Taunton, explained that even a partial eclipse in the UK can cause damage to the retina and macular. She warned that unsafe viewing could lead to a 'solar burn' at the back of the eye, potentially causing lifelong impact on central vision.
The safest ways to view the eclipse include using certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard or observing it indirectly. Looking directly at the sun with naked eyes, sunglasses, or unfiltered cameras, binoculars, or telescopes can cause significant damage. An indirect method involves using a kitchen colander to project crescent suns onto the ground.