Sungazing
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Man sungazing at sunrise.
Sungazing is a practice that includes gazing at the
sun for nourishment or as a spiritual practice. Looking into the sun is dangerous, and can cause
solar retinopathy and lead to permanent eye damage or blindness.
[1][2]
Contents
[
hide]
[edit] Purpose
Proponents of sungazing claim increased energy levels and decreased appetite; as with other forms of
inedia, this claim is not considered credible due to the lack of scientific studies confirming it.
[3][4]
Sungazers claim their eyes are capable of converting sunlight into
energy for their bodies. They claim the methodology is similar to
photosynthesis.[
citation needed]
Sungazing is also part of the
Bates method, an
alternative therapy intended to improve eyesight.
Ophthalmologists do not regard the method as useful.
[5]
[edit] Dangers
The practice of sungazing is dangerous. Looking directly at the sun for even brief periods of time may cause
blindness or severe damage to the
eye.
[6] Solar retinopathy, damage to the
eyes
retina due to
solar radiation,
[7] and blindness to varying degrees and persistence frequently result from sungazing during a
solar eclipse.
[2][8] Although
vision loss due to this damage is generally reversible,
[7] permanent damage and loss of vision have been reported.
[9] Most
eye care professionals advise patients to avoid looking directly at the sun.
[10] Exposure to
ultraviolet radiation, produced by the sun, is associated with damage to the eye, including
pterygium[11] and
cataracts.
[12]
At least one practitioner continued the practice despite clear evidence of eye damage.
[1]