Flash Blindness
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Flash blindness caused by the effect on the retina of the initial brilliant flash of light produced by the explosion
Source: Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute's Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation Course on CD-ROM (1999)

Flash blindness:
  • Caused by the effect on the retina of the initial brilliant flash of light produced by the explosion
  • Victims DO NOT have to be looking at the detonation site, as reflected/diffracted light is sufficient in many cases.
  • Victims driving at the time of the event, will be unable to see, potentially causing large numbers of traffic accidents.
  • During daylight, flash blindness does not persist for > about 2 minutes, but is generally seconds.
  • At night, when the pupil is dilated, flash blindness will last longer.
  • Partial recovery may be expected within 3-10 minutes in daylight, longer at night.