Sungazing

Image:Sungazing.jpg

Sungazing is the practice of intentionally looking directly at the sun, usually during sunrise or sunset. Proponents believe it can provide health benefits by connecting with the sun's energy, potentially leading to increased energy levels, improved mental clarity, and even spiritual awakening. However, medical professionals strongly advise against it due to the risk of severe eye damage.{{cite news|url=http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_13457606|title=Mill Valley man's film on people who stare at the sun among featured at festival|last=Liberatore|first=Paul|date=2009-09-30|publisher=Marin Independent Journal|accessdate=2009-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005211203/http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_13457606|archive-date=2009-10-05|url-status=dead}} The human eye is very sensitive, and exposure to direct sunlight can lead to solar retinopathy, pterygium,{{cite journal|doi= 10.1136/bjo.2006.091413|pmc=1860212|title= Pterygium|year= 2006|last1= Solomon|first1= A S|journal= British Journal of Ophthalmology|volume= 90|issue= 6|pages= 665–6|pmid= 16714259 }} cataracts,{{cite journal|pmid=14569187 |doi=10.1097/01.ede.0000086881.84657.98|title=Sun Exposure as a Risk Factor for Nuclear Cataract|year=2003|last1=Neale|first1=Rachel E.|last2=Purdie|first2=Jennifer L.|last3=Hirst|first3=Lawrence W.|last4=Green|first4=Adèle C.|journal=Epidemiology|volume=14|issue=6|pages=707–12|s2cid=40041207 |doi-access=free}} and potentially blindness.{{cite journal |vauthors=Stokkermans TJ, Dunbar MT |date=Oct 1998 | title = Solar retinopathy in a hospital-based primary care clinic | journal = J Am Optom Assoc | volume = 69 | issue = 10| pages = 625–36 | pmid = 9805443 }}{{cite journal | author=D van Norren | url=http://physiologyonline.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/6/5/232 | title=Photochemical Damage to the Eye | journal=News Physiol Sci | date= October 1, 1991 | issue=6 | pages=232–234 | id= 1548-9213/91 | volume=6 }}{{cite journal |vauthors=Chen JC, Lee LR | url=http://www.optometrists.asn.au/gui/files/ceo876390.pdf | title=Solar retinopathy and associated optical coherence tomography findings | journal=Clin Exp Optom |date=November 2004 | volume=87 | issue=6 | pages=390–3 | pmid= 15575813 | doi=10.1111/j.1444-0938.2004.tb03100.x | doi-access=free }} Studies have shown that even when viewing a solar eclipse the eye can still be exposed to harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation.{{cite journal |vauthors=Krasniz I, Beiran I, Miller B | title = Retinal lesion due to excessive exposure to sunlight | journal = Harefuah | date = 1999-11-01 | volume = 137 | issue = 9 | pages = 378–80, 431, 430 | pmid = 11419039 }}

Damage

The damage to eyes from ultraviolet radiation can be serious and permanent due to damage to the retina. Wearing sunglasses can prevent some harm, depending on the UV rating.{{cite web |last1=Turbert |first1=David |title=The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes |url=https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun |website=www.aao.org |date=29 May 2024 |access-date=11 June 2024}} People who have had cataract surgery, received photodynamic therapy, or are under the effects of photosensitizing medications have an increased risk of eye damage due to sungazing. During a solar eclipse, the risk of damage is especially high. When looking at the eclipsed Sun directly, the eyes dilate due to the reduced visible light. Without proper protection, this leads to a larger area for the Sun's UV rays to penetrate and do damage. This can be hard to prevent as the retina has no pain receptors.{{cite web |title=Eclipse Viewing Safety |url=https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/ |website=science.nasa.gov |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=11 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=2024 Solar Eclipse |url=https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/eye-institute/healthy-eyes/2024-solar-eclipse.aspx |website=www.urmc.rochester.edu |access-date=11 June 2024}}

Movements

Referred to as sunning by William Horatio Bates as one of a series of exercises included in his Bates method, it became a popular form of alternative therapy in the early 20th century.{{cite journal | journal = Review of Optometry | url = http://www.revoptom.com/content/d/therapeutics/c/17353/ | title = Exposing the Secrets of Fringe Eye Care | first = Brian | last = Chou | volume = 141 | issue = 9 | date = 15 September 2004 | access-date = 1 May 2011 | archive-date = 13 December 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131213073339/http://www.revoptom.com/content/d/therapeutics/c/17353/ | url-status = dead }} His methods were widely debated at the time but ultimately discredited for lack of scientific rigor. The British Medical Journal reported in 1967 that "Bates (1920) advocated prolonged sun-gazing as the treatment of myopia, with disastrous results".{{cite journal

|doi=10.1136/bmj.3.5559.212

|title=Solar retinopathy

|year=1967

|last1=Ridgway

|first1=A. E.

|journal=BMJ

|volume=3

|issue=5559

|pages=212–4

|pmid=6028468

|pmc=1842517}}