I had my pupils dilated for an eye exam. When I left the clinic, it was midday and the sun was shining. I could barely open my eyes. It was really painful. I had to cover my eyes with my hands, look through the narrow space between my fingers, with my eyes squinched and constantly blinking. Could the sun light damage the photoreceptors in my retina? Is was midday and next to the equator. The sun light was as strong as can be.