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The eclipse leaves more than 500 people receiving medical attention, most for eye discomfort
More than 500 people have received medical attention in 14 autonomous communities after Wednesday's total solar eclipse. Most cases are related to eye discomfort or disorders, although the overall assessment reports no serious incidents and health services will maintain surveillance over the coming days.
Catalonia has so far recorded the highest number of consultations, with 143 related to the phenomenon. Of these, 40 concern eye conditions. Barcelona and its surroundings account for a large share of the calls, although assistance has also been provided in Girona, Lleida, Tarragona, Terres de l'Ebre, Central Catalonia and Penedès.
In the Community of Madrid, 101 cases of care had been counted by Thursday morning for dizziness, discomfort and eye problems. A total of 77 patients went to hospitals, six were treated in primary care and another 18 needed assistance from Summa.
The figures from the Valencian Community also stand out, with 70 eye-care cases and no hospital admissions; Asturias, with 64 consultations and 18 diagnoses compatible with observing the eclipse; and the Basque Country, where 58 mild cases have been recorded. Andalusia has 44 hospital consultations, likewise without admissions or serious conditions.
Murcia has treated 32 people for eye problems and Aragon has recorded around thirty cases of care or consultations, many of them for minor contusions and treatment. Castilla-La Mancha has 22 cases, while La Rioja has counted around twenty patients with eye discomfort.
The figures are lower in the Balearic Islands, Castile and León, Navarre and Extremadura. Galicia has so far recorded no care for eye injuries, while Cantabria and the Canary Islands have not reported significant incidents directly related to observing the Sun either.
The total also includes dizziness, heatstroke, falls, dehydration and episodes of discomfort occurring during a day when millions of people went out into streets, parks, beaches and viewpoints to observe the phenomenon. Overall, emergency services stress that the use of approved glasses and preventive campaigns avoided more serious consequences.
Healthcare does not end with the eclipse. Some alterations caused by inappropriate exposure to the Sun may appear later, so specialists recommend watching for changes in vision and consulting a professional if spots, blurred vision, distortions or other symptoms occur. After a historic day with huge crowds, the main health assessment remains one of caution and mostly mild cases.