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The Solar Eclipse is Coming- Protect those Peepers!

crowd safely viewing a solar eclipse with proper eyewear on
Regular sunglasses are NOT sufficient. Sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not enough to protect your vision if you look at the sun. Homemade filters are also a bad idea. Additionally, never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices, even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. To learn more about solar retinopathy prevention during a solar eclipse visit: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
By Katherine Tang, Public Affairs Officer

One of the greatest celestial events known to mankind is approaching - and here’s what you need to know if you choose to join in on the spectacle:

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. Most are aware that looking at the sun without the correct eye protection, even for a short time, is dangerous for your eyes. But did you know it can lead to  permanent damage, in a condition called Solar Retinopathy? Why does this occur and how can you prevent it? 

The cornea and lens of your eye focuses light onto the retina (the sensory layer in the back of the eye that has nerve cells called photoreceptors). These photoreceptors transmit light to the brain via the optic nerve, to create the formed images you see. Normally, the sun is too bright to stare at long enough to cause damage. But, if you look directly at the sun, as one might do during a solar eclipse, a damaging amount of high energy UV light can be focused on and absorbed by the central part of the retina, the macula.

When this occurs, you can develop swelling (edema) of the retinal tissue in this area, which can be mild to severe, and can lead to a disruption of the regular arrangement of photoreceptors. As the eye heals (swelling resolves), it may result in scarring, i.e. permanently distorted or missing spot in your central vision. Think about the redness and painful blistering of your skin that occurs with prolonged sun exposure! There is no known beneficial treatment after damage occurs, thus prevention is KEY! 

 

How To Protect Your Eyes During a Solar Eclipse           

WEAR APPROPRIATE EYEWEAR

  1. Plan ahead and obtain eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewers. These products contain a certified solar filter that must meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2. This filter is the only way to truly protect your eyes from the sun's powerful rays.
    1. The American Astronomical Society has a list of companies that supply eclipse glasses & solar viewers, as well as guidance on how to make sure your eclipse glasses are safe. Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers & Filters | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org)
  2. If you normally wear eyeglasses, wear your eclipse glasses over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
  3. Carefully inspect eclipse glasses before wearing to ensure there aren’t any scratches, bubbles or other defects. 
  4. Assist children to ensure they are wearing the glasses appropriately. 
  5. Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. 

  6. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter—do not remove it while looking at the sun.

     

Regular sunglasses are NOT sufficient. Sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not enough to protect your vision if you look at the sun. Homemade filters are also a bad idea.

 

Additionally, never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices, even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the protective filter in your solar glasses and put your eyes at risk. These devices need solar filters, too – and must be attached to the front of the device!

Typical sunglasses absorb 80% of visible light and may absorb 99% of UV light (20% and 1% transmittance, respectively). Solar eclipse filters/sunglasses meeting ISO 12312-2 standards maximally transmit only 0.0032% of both visible and UV light. So, unless you look at a super bright light source, you won’t be able to see anything through solar eclipse glasses!

 

Alternative Methods For Viewing (if you can’t find trustworthy eclipse glasses in time)

  1. Make a pinhole viewer to watch the eclipse indirectly:
    1. Pinhole projection does NOT mean looking at the Sun through the pinhole!
    2. Poke a hole (with a pin or thumbtack!) in the center of a white sheet of paper. With your back to the sun, view another paper or surface through the hole to see the solar eclipse as a shadow.  AOA Pinhole Projector 2024 (1).pdf
    3. Make your own eclipse projector using a cardboard box, white sheet of paper, tape, scissors and aluminum foil (see image on NASA eclipse safety website). 
    4. Pinhole projection is not useful for observing the total phase of a total solar eclipse; the projected image will be too faint to see. 
    5. Indirect Solar Viewing: Pinhole & Optical Projection | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org) 

      

  1. View a live stream of the eclipse. NASA will have a live stream of the solar eclipse: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/live/ 
  2. Consider finding an event at a local planetarium, science center or club for viewing

 

Safe Viewing Times (Partial vs. Totality)

The full eclipse, known as totality, happens when the moon completely covers the sun. This only lasts 1 to 2 minutes. The sun’s outer atmosphere gradually appears, glowing like a halo around the moon in front of it. During — and ONLY during — this brief period, you may remove your eye protection. Put your eye protection back on before totality ends. This is only safe to do during a total solar eclipse, not a partial or annular eclipse.

How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org)

 

Symptoms To Watch For

If appropriate eyewear is not worn/proper precautions are not taken, you may develop some of the following symptoms: 

  • Blurry vision, headache, a blind spot in your central vision in one or both eyes, increased light sensitivity, distorted vision (straight lines appear wavy or crooked) and/or changes in the way you see colors. 
  • Visual symptoms may occur within 4 to 6 hours after direct sun exposure, or even up to 12 hours following exposure.
  • Typically affects both eyes, but may be asymmetric

If you experience any of these symptoms after viewing the eclipse, you should contact your eyecare provider immediately for evaluation. 

 

We hope you are able to (safely) enjoy this amazing astronomical phenomenon! 

Sincerely, 

Your WRJ VA Healthcare System Eye Care Team 

 

References

American Optometric Association: Solar Eclipses and Eye Safety (aoa.org); AOA_SolarEclipse_Infographic_v5.pdf

American Academy of Ophthalmology: Solar Eclipse Eye Safety - American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org)

NASA: Eclipses (nasa.gov)

American Astronomical Society: About the ISO 12312-2 Standard for Solar Viewers | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org); 2023Oct14ASE_Safety.pdf (aas.org); Indirect Solar Viewing: Pinhole & Optical Projection | Solar Eclipse Across America (aas.org)

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