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The blind spot from solar retinopathy can appear either immediately or gradually, depending on the severity of the exposure.

- Immediate Effects: In cases of intense exposure (such as staring at the sun or an eclipse for several seconds), some people may notice a blind spot, blurred vision, or distortion (metamorphopsia) within minutes to hours after exposure. This can be accompanied by mild discomfort or light sensitivity.

- Gradual Onset: In milder cases, symptoms may not become apparent until hours later, sometimes even the next day. The damage occurs at the retina, particularly the fovea (the central part of the vision), where the high-energy light causes photochemical injury to the photoreceptor cells.

In either case, the damage is typically painless because the retina lacks pain receptors. Some cases improve over weeks to months, but in severe exposures, the damage can be permanent.

To avoid solar retinopathy, always use proper eye protection, such as ISO-certified eclipse glasses, when viewing an eclipse.