Temporary Vs. Permanent
Is flash blindness temporary or permanent?
- Some sources such as NATO and the U.S. Department of Defense state that "flash blindness" can be temporary or permanent.
- Other sources restrict the use of the word to temporary, reversible vision loss: "...These are, in order of increasing brightness: dazzle, after image formation, flash blindness, and irreversible damage." The US Federal Aviation Administration in Order 7400.2F (now cancelled) defines it as "Generally, a temporary visual interference effect that persists after the source of the illumination has ceased."
Because there appears to be no consensus definition, one should be especially clear about which sense(s) of the phrase are meant. For example, using the phrase "temporary flash blindness" when discussing everyday flash photography emphasizes that the condition will disappear without ill effect.
Read more about this topic: Flash Blindness
Famous quotes containing the words temporary and/or permanent:
“Good parties create a temporary youthfulness.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“As to the permanent interest of individuals in the aggregated interests of the community, and in the proverbial maxim, that honesty is the best policy, present temptation is often found to be an overmatch for those considerations.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)