I flew today for a number of hours, and had a really bad issue come up just now. I woke up with searing pain in my eyes, and could not open them. When I tried to, I felt like my eyeballs were coated with sand. I had burned them before from too much sun exposure, but tonight, I honestly wondered for a second if I was going to need to go to the emergency room, or even for a second, whether I had blinded myself!

I really dont like wearing sunglasses too much, but I like being able to see, so I guess I will start wearing them when I know I will be out there for a while. This probably seems like common sense to most of you guys, but to new kiters... if you're going to be out there for extended periods of time, looking into the sky, flying kites and such- put on some sunglasses. I just experienced something I would rather never experience again. Nothing quite like waking up to realize that you cant open your eyes.

I've done a lot of outdoor things in my life, but I guess because of looking at the kite, is why this is happening. I had never burned my eyes before taking this sport up, and today I burned them worse than any other time.

Hey I can relate. Not from kiting but from going to alaska. I was up there in july when they had 22 hour days. after 9 days with no sunglasses and glare from the water, my eyes were killing me. when i went home i spent a day in my house mostly in bed with the blinds closed. it sucked and now my eyes are really sensitive to sunlight.

If it is still bothering you you might try an eye lubricant called lacrilube. I am pretty sure it is over the counter at most pharmacies and it might help. The burning should be done in a day or two.

dylanj423,

How much do you value your sight? Wearing sunglases is a small price to pay to keep your eyes safe. Sunglasses look cool too and you can get polarized ones pretty cheap these days.

Sun screen and sunglasses should be considered essential safety equipment by all kiters.

if you were a welder,you would have flash burn of the eyes. But it is only sunburn,so it won't last too long. DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES! Go get 2 tea bags , get em' wet. Put one on each eye and cover with a damp cloth, then try to sleep. There is tannic acid in the tea which changes the ph of your tears. the sand you feel is actually tiny blisters on the surface of your eye, rubbing pops them and makes it hurt worse. Your eyes are the fastest healing organ in your body, but they only heal when closed. so keep em shut! I have had flash burns 100 times ,easy!. So I know a little bit about it! Get ya some thermonuclear protection for your eyes!