New guy to welding very worried

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Hello, new guy to welding here.  I was tig welding for the first time yesterday and had an accident which is really concerning me.  I know this isn't a health forum and went to the eye doctor today, but I would like to see if any of you experienced guys have seen this before.I have been wanting to learn welding for awhile now, and a friend of mine yesterday offered to teach me as he was doing some tig weld work for his car.  I put the auto darkening mask on, started welding, but when I stopped there was a strong bright green spot in my vision.  I asked the guy teaching me if this was normal, he checked the shade setting and said "yeah don't worry about it."  So we continued practicing for about an hour or so.  Another guy stops by and I mention the green spots that were still there, he checks the mask and tells me it had never been turned on!So obviously I am very worried now, probably didn't make things any better by googling "welding eye damage".  I've read the auto darkening helmets always protect against UV and I didn't have any burning feeling in my eyes really, but what I'm most worried about is this blue light damage; apparently that is really bad and is irreversible.  The eye doc today said he saw no damage, but he wasn't really familiar with welding, and I asked if I had anything to worry about in the future with macular degeneration or anything, all he had to say is "nothing you can do about it now".Thanks for anyone taking the time to read this, I am not expecting medical advice at all, just was hoping to hear if anyone else here had a similar experience or anything.Last edited by bouse; 12-28-2011 at 07:38 PM.
Reply:If your eyes are burned you will feel it that night. It will feel like you have sand in your eyes. I have been welding since 1979 and have never burned mine so i'm just going on what people have said about it.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Pretty much all auto darkening welding hoods will protect your eyes even when off. The UV light is still blocked by the filter, and that's the stuff you really have to be worried about. by the way most safety glasses, even unshaded, will protect you from UV light, another good reason to always wear safety glasses full time. The bright spot is really no different than if you stared a a light bulb for a time. It will go away within a few hours at worst. I doubt you did any permanent damage unless you welded non stop for hours and hours on end this way..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:yes, always weare safty glasses. even if someone is welding from across the shop. I have heard stories of guys getting welders eye from the UV rays bouncing off the walls. make sure they say UV on the package, not just any clear classes will protect from them. You will be fine. consider getting a fixed shade helmet.
Reply:Maybe you should learn to weld from someone else!
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay OMaybe you should learn to weld from someone else!
Reply:You don't say what helmet you have, but I have a Speedglas and the instructions say the lens is a number 5 when it's turned off. Not the shade you want, but better then nothing. As long as you weren't looking at the arc with no helmet, I wouldn't worry about it. Just don't forget to keep fresh batteries in your helmet.kidtigger24  They think I’m crazy, but I know better. It is not I who am crazy. It is I who am MAD!
Reply:My son is 6. He has his own AD hood (not a cheapie either). I have taught him how it operates, and how to check it. It should change states when a torch spark igniter is lit in front of it. I still over worry and check it myself, but he does tell me when it doesn't change (usually when he is across the room and the weld is blocked from his view.  You need to do some research into the equipment you are using so that you know how it is supposed to work, and not rely on your 'teacher'.
Reply:Here's a tip on adjusting you AD shield. Look up at the shop lights and turn the auto dark knob until it activates.  Then look down across the shop at shoulder level.  If it's unshaded at shoulder level but dark while looking up at the light, you should be good and safe from any flash above ambient light.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Keep some eye drops by your bed tonight, just in case you wake up with the sand in your eye feeling. I got a flash burn once, years ago. My father was welding with a spoolgun for a while and I woke up that night with it. I concluded that reflections off of something in the shop got me. I didn't get a direct flash all day. Eye drops fixed that right up.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:Trust me, if you get flashed, YOU'LL KNOW IT! There won't be any question.I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it persists much more than overnight.
Reply:Another post about problems with a AD lid? I am in disbelief!