This light-hearted review identified that the Google search term, ‘my eyes hurt’ was trending on 8 April 2024, coinciding with the exact time when a total solar eclipse passed over the US. They identified the subregions that searched this term most were states directly in the eclipse’s path. This paper does highlight a few useful learning points though. Eclipse retinopathy remains a risk to the population, particularly with the perennial excitement humanity has for solar eclipses. Symptoms of eclipse retinopathy, a form of solar retinopathy, include photosensitivity, blurred vision, headache and various patterns of scotoma. The authors note that in previous reviews of eclipse retinopathy, central scotomata fully resolved between 6–21 months after presentation. Prevention however remains key and although solar eclipse glasses or solar viewing cards are commonly recommended, sub-standard or counterfeit glasses that do not comply with the ISO 12312-2 International Standard pose a potential risk. Indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole projector or a solar telescope with specialised lenses remain the safest methods. More generally, the paper demonstrates the use of Google search trends as a useful tool to estimate public health issues. The next total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Russia, and Spain on 12 August 2026.
Google searches predict pathology after a solar eclipse
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