Here's why:

* The Sun's intense radiation: The Sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation. During an eclipse, even though the Sun is partially or fully obscured, these rays can still reach your eyes.

* Damage to the retina: The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Prolonged exposure to solar radiation can burn the retina, causing damage to the cells that transmit visual information to the brain.

* Solar retinopathy: This condition is a type of retinal damage that can result from looking directly at the Sun. It can lead to blurry vision, distorted vision, blind spots, and even complete blindness.

* No pain signals: The retina doesn't have pain receptors, so you won't feel any immediate discomfort when your eyes are being damaged.

Even if you're only looking for a few seconds, it's still dangerous.

How to protect your eyes during a solar eclipse:

* Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection.

* Use certified solar eclipse glasses or viewers. These glasses have special filters that block out harmful radiation.

* Project the Sun's image onto a screen: Use a pinhole projector or a telescope with a solar filter to safely view the eclipse.

If you suspect you may have experienced eye damage from looking at the Sun, seek immediate medical attention.