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| Solar Eclipse Safety Glasses |
If you don't use the proper protective eyewear, watching Monday's unusual solar eclipse—even for a brief moment—can harm your eyes, according to the majority of the country.
Why it matters: With the exception of the brief total period of a complete solar eclipse, NASA advises that "it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing".- As per the American Astronomical Society, staring directly at the Sun during partial solar eclipses might result in irreversible harm to the retina.
- Additionally, this may result in blindness or "solar retinopathy."
Driving the news: According to Maya Goldman of Axios, hospitals are on high alert due to an increase in road accidents, the possibility of mass casualty incidents, and eye injury.
Solar eclipse glasses differ from sunglasses.
Threat level: During the eclipse, it is unsafe to observe the Sun via sunglasses.
- The American Astronomical Society claims that safe solar viewers meet ISO 12312-2 international standards and are "thousands of times darker" than the darkest sunglasses.
What they're saying: The society advises trying on your eclipse glasses prior to the eclipse and cautions against the fake and counterfeit ones that have been going around.
- "You shouldn't be able to see anything through them, except perhaps very bright lights, which should appear very faint through the glasses," the society stated.
- "If you can see anything else, such as household furnishings or pictures on the wall, your glasses aren't dark enough for solar viewing."
When and Where to Safely Remove Eclipse Glasses
The big picture: Dallas, Indianapolis, and Cleveland should be totally enveloped in darkness as the path of totality passes over portions of fifteen states.
- According to NASA, you can safely see the eclipse without protection in some locations along the path of totality and only for a short while when you are unable to see any part of the Sun with eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.
Ensure Continued Use of Eclipse Glasses During Partial Eclipse
The majority of those who are not in the path of totality will instead witness a partial eclipse, in which the Sun appears as a crescent.
- There is never a safe moment to look directly at the sun in those regions. During the whole eclipse, you should shield your eyes," the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends.
Where to Purchase Eclipse Glasses: Walmart, Staples, and Other Retailers
Eclipse glasses are available in national retailers such as Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples, 7-Eleven, and Kroger, however availability varies by area, according to the Astronomical Society.
- There was also a list of Meijer, H-E-B, Buc-ee's, Menards, and Wegmans on the Astronomical Society website.
Complimentary eclipse glasses available at Warby Parker, Sonic, and local libraries
Warby Parker locations are among the firms offering complimentary glasses, while supplies last.
- Sonic Drive-In is offering a unique black slush with a dragon fruit and cotton candy flavor that comes with free glasses and symbolizes the "temporary darkness" of the eclipse, according to the business.
- As part of the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries project, which is financed by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, libraries across have been giving out free eclipse glasses for both this week's complete eclipse and the October eclipse.
- On Monday, you can use the same eclipse glasses that were given out prior to the eclipse in October.
Eclipse eye damage symptoms
Context: According to nonprofit Prevent Blindness, seeing a solar eclipse can cause visual abnormalities such as distorted vision, changed color vision, and loss of central vision.
- In the event that you experience symptoms, the organization advises consulting an eye care specialist for treatment.
- The New Mexico Department of Health stated that it may take several hours to many days to recognize the damage to one's eyes. The damage may be transient or permanent.
How to Safely Watch the Eclipse Without Eclipse Glasses
NASA states that you can utilize an indirect viewing technique, such as making an eclipse projector or pinhole projector, if you don't have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer.
- There is no need to glance at the Sun while using the indirect approaches.
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