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The blast effect of a nuclear explosion is first visible as a flash that can cause blindness because of the light intensity. The cause of the damage is retinal injury. The second effect is the blast and concussion wave.

I was taught in the service that even closing your eyes would not help you, you needed to shield your eyes.

The old "duck and cover" drills ( remember them, folks) stressed to cover your eyes with your arm and duck to the ground, under a heavy object.

Retinal damage can extend to a point approximately 50 past the ground zero damage area. Simply put, if the ground zero area is 3 miles, expect retinal damage out to 6-7 miles.

Bad news: in an unexpected event, there is no time to prepare, because the flash is the first event. The bang is second.

(NOTE: I hate being the voice of doom so often in the radiation effects area)