There’s an Eclipse Coming—Are You Prepared?

A solar eclipse—when the Moon’s position between the Sun and the Earth is such that it covers all or part of the Sun for a short period—is an awesome sight on Nature. On Monday, August 21, virtually everyone in the United States will be able to view a partial to total solar eclipse. For everyone, the moon will cover at least part of the sun for 2 to 3 hours, and a lucky number who live within a narrow band stretching from Oregon to South Carolina will get to experience a brief total eclipse lasting about two minutes. For them, day will turn to night, while everyone else experiences a prolonged, murky twilight.

Needless to say, with such a spectacle occurring overhead, many eyes will be turning skyward. But BEWARE, eclipse viewing can be dangerous to your eyes if you’re not properly prepared. Just as you would never stare directly at the full Sun with your naked eyes, you should never stare at a partially eclipsed Sun.

The American Optometric Association, the American Astronomical Society, NASA, CNN, and others have released important information for anyone planning to view the eclipse so they can do so safely.

Eclipse Viewing Basics

Here are a few quick dos and don’ts for safe viewing. For more complete information, and before you view the eclipse, visit the links provided below or consult your eye care provider.

  1. Common sense rules—eclipse or no eclipse, do NOT stare directly at the sun with your naked eyes. This can damage your eyesight.
  2. Parents should make extra certain their children know not to look at the eclipse unless they are properly prepared.
  3. According to CNN, only within the path of totality (where the moon completely blocks the sun), can you safely view the eclipse—but only briefly. Totality lasts somewhere around 2 minutes, during which time the Sun’s light will be similar to that of a full moon.
  4. If you’re not in the path of the total eclipse, do not stare directly at the eclipse at any time without special viewers: certified eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers.
  5. Check the safety authenticity of any purported eclipse viewing glasses to ensure they comply with essential safety viewing standards.
  6. No matter how expensive or efficient your ordinary pair of sunglasses are at blocking glare or UV rays, they aren’t sufficient for eclipse viewing. You need certified solar viewers, which block infrared radiation and are about 100,000 times darker than ordinary sunglasses.

Get More Information

Eclipse Viewing Tips from NASA

Tips for Viewing the Solar Eclipse from AOA (PDF)

Tips for Buying Solar Viewers

How to Safely Watch the Eclipse (CNN)

Keep Your Eyes Safe

At Sunglass and Optical Warehouse, we know eclipse viewing can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it’s tempting to take just a peek. But unless you’re prepared for proper viewing, resist the temptation. Your eyesight is that important.

If you have questions or concerns about viewing the eclipse, or if you experience eye discomfort after viewing the eclipse, talk to your eye care provider or contact us. For more than 30 years (and counting), we’ve been caring for the eye care needs of greater San Diego as the area’s premier provider of prescription glasses and prescription and non-prescription sunglasses.

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