Eye damage cases found - Solar eclipse

Several instances of eye damage linked to the total solar eclipse in April have been reported across Canada.

The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) informed Global News on Thursday that they had received 118 reports of eye complications stemming from the April 8 eclipse.

OAO president Josephine Pepe stated that the reported conditions in the province include inflammation of the cornea and solar retinopathy, which, in severe instances, can lead to permanent vision loss.

Pepe mentioned in an email response that the reported cases spanned from Windsor to Ottawa and were not concentrated in any specific area of Ontario.

"Many areas experienced significant cloud cover during the eclipse, and it appears that most individuals followed the warnings and used appropriate eye protection while viewing the event," she remarked.

"We believe that these factors contributed to limiting the number of cases of eye complications, especially considering that most of Ontario experienced some degree of solar eclipse," she added.

As of April 23, Quebec's health department reported that optometrists have confirmed 43 cases of eye damage potentially linked to the solar eclipse.

Optometrists confirmed these cases through an eclipse eye injury reporting form, which included conditions like keratitis, solar retinopathy, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Marie-Pierre Blier, a spokesperson for Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), emphasized that the reported cases might underestimate the actual number. This could be due to the voluntary nature of data collection at optometry clinics, delays in reporting cases, and instances where affected individuals might not seek care at optometry clinics.