140 eclipse watchers seek advice

At least 140 telephone calls have been made to the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin since the eclipse, and about 40 people…

At least 140 telephone calls have been made to the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin since the eclipse, and about 40 people have attended the casualty department, fearing they may have damaged their eyesight watching the eclipse.

The hospital received about 100 calls yesterday, and 30 to 40 people were attended to in general casualty.

Prof Louis Collum, president of the College of Ophthalmologists and a consultant at the hospital, said the telephone calls were from people who had not followed advice when looking at the eclipse.

"Our advice to anybody who feels worried that they might have damaged their eyesight is to go to their GP who will refer them to an eye specialist if necessary, or people should go to the casualty department of any hospital."