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Sun exposure for 30 seconds through clothes (Black blazer - 70% polyester)
HI Dr. Hagan,
Hope you are doing well. Reaching out to you to request your assistance with a query on an incident that has happened to me 3 times over the past 1 month.
I have started a new shift at work in which I return home from office in the evening between 5-6 pm when the sun is at eye level (for a passenger sitting in a car). I commute in my car with my driver who drives and I sit in the back seat. Because the sun is exactly at eye level, it is very inconvenient in the back seat (my driver uses the sun flaps but there are no sun flaps in the backseat, so I generally sit sideways when the sun is staring right at me and my driver.
I generally prefer to sleep in the commute since its a tiring day. However, when I am suddenly woken up due to bumps on the road, my eyes are exposed to full blown sunlight right in the eyes and it takes me 2-3 seconds to process it (since I have just woken up and disoriented) and look away. I want to avoid such a situation.
So, to avoid this situation, I have started taking off my work blazer (black color, 70% polyester) and wrapping my it over my head in a way that my eyes are completely covered while sleeping. So, the sun is still staring at me through the windshield, but now there is my blazer between me and the sun.
My questions are:
1. The blazer cloth blocks all of the sun's visible light. Therefore, sometimes I keep my eyes open also under the same. It happened again today for 30-40 seconds. But can the UV light of the sun enter through the cloth and damage my retina when my eyes are opened under the cloth? I am not concerned about closed eyes situation, but situation where my eyes are open under the cloth.
2. Since all visible light is blocked, does it mean even more damage because my pupils won't be constricted when my eyes are open?
3. All my sun exposure mentioned above happens through the windshield of the car - the internet says that offers protection - would you concur?
I am really worried that I have ended up damaging my eyes in an effort to protect them. I understand that this is not a typical question but I respect your opinion a lot. Kindly let me know if a retinal check is warranted.
Kindly let me know your view. Thanks for your help with this,
Regards,
Hope you are doing well. Reaching out to you to request your assistance with a query on an incident that has happened to me 3 times over the past 1 month.
I have started a new shift at work in which I return home from office in the evening between 5-6 pm when the sun is at eye level (for a passenger sitting in a car). I commute in my car with my driver who drives and I sit in the back seat. Because the sun is exactly at eye level, it is very inconvenient in the back seat (my driver uses the sun flaps but there are no sun flaps in the backseat, so I generally sit sideways when the sun is staring right at me and my driver.
I generally prefer to sleep in the commute since its a tiring day. However, when I am suddenly woken up due to bumps on the road, my eyes are exposed to full blown sunlight right in the eyes and it takes me 2-3 seconds to process it (since I have just woken up and disoriented) and look away. I want to avoid such a situation.
So, to avoid this situation, I have started taking off my work blazer (black color, 70% polyester) and wrapping my it over my head in a way that my eyes are completely covered while sleeping. So, the sun is still staring at me through the windshield, but now there is my blazer between me and the sun.
My questions are:
1. The blazer cloth blocks all of the sun's visible light. Therefore, sometimes I keep my eyes open also under the same. It happened again today for 30-40 seconds. But can the UV light of the sun enter through the cloth and damage my retina when my eyes are opened under the cloth? I am not concerned about closed eyes situation, but situation where my eyes are open under the cloth.
2. Since all visible light is blocked, does it mean even more damage because my pupils won't be constricted when my eyes are open?
3. All my sun exposure mentioned above happens through the windshield of the car - the internet says that offers protection - would you concur?
I am really worried that I have ended up damaging my eyes in an effort to protect them. I understand that this is not a typical question but I respect your opinion a lot. Kindly let me know if a retinal check is warranted.
Kindly let me know your view. Thanks for your help with this,
Regards,
None of this threatens your sight. You would have to stare directly at the sun for several minutes to risk solar macular damage.
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