A man who sustained permanent eye damage after viewing the 1999 solar eclipse without adequate protection is urging the public to use certified eye safety gear for upcoming celestial events. Peter Smith, from Taunton, recalled using a welder's mask for the 1999 eclipse, believing it offered sufficient shielding. The following morning, he experienced flashing in his eyes and severe headaches, which led to the discovery of damage to both of his retinas.
Smith emphasized that the damage incurred during the eclipse has never healed, unlike a physical injury. "Any damage you get, it'll never heal. It's not like cutting your hand," he stated. He continues to experience residual effects, describing occasional flashing dots, particularly when fatigued. "Even now there is a residual impact. When I'm tired sometimes a flashing dot might come back, and it's not nice when it does," Smith said. He advised that viewers should "make sure everything you've got is correct" to safely observe the phenomenon. MIA1: A man wearing glasses and a white shirt with black flowers on it. He is in a room at an optician surgery. "caption: Peter Smith, who suffered permanent eye damage from watching the 1999 solar eclipse, urges viewers to use proper eye protection."