Solar Eclipse Safety

A solar eclipse will occur across most of the United States on August 21, 2017. This is an exciting astronomical event that many children and adults will be interested in. It is imperative that parents prepare ahead for this event, and learn how to protect the eyes from injury during the eclipse.

The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page for a list of manufacturers and authorized dealers of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers.

NOTE: Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage to your eyes.

“Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause ‘eclipse blindness’ or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy. This exposure to the light can cause damage or even destroy cells in the retina (the back of the eye) that transmit what you see to the brain. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred.”¹

If you notice symptoms after viewing a solar eclipse, contact us immediately and seek treatment from an eye care professional.

Here are some Solar Eclipse Safety Tips from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• Always supervise children.
• Always inspect your solar filter/glasses/viewer before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
• Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device, while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.
• Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.
• Outside the path of totality, you must always use a safe solar filter to view the sun directly.
• If you normally wear eyeglasses, keep them on. Put your eclipse glasses on over them, or hold your handheld viewer in front of them.
• No matter what recommended technique you use, do not stare continuously at the sun. Take breaks and give your eyes a rest!

For more information and safety tips, visit https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety