Eye-Saving Eclipse Tips That May Surprise You
- Reggie Wilson, MS
- Aug 16, 2017
- 2 min read
People are getting excited about Monday's total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks out the sun!
Though the eclipse is only visible for a couple minutes, looking directly at it can cause permanent damage to your sight. Using these to view the eclipse can cause loss of color and/or central vision [1]:
Quick glances or squinting at a partial eclipse [2]
Cell phones
Sunglasses, including dark or polarized
Unfiltered camera or telescope lenses
Pay careful attention to whether the sun is fully eclipsed! Total eclipse only happens along a relatively narrow path across the country, for a short amount of time.
Eclipse Phases. NASA
NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce says, "That crescent of sun is glowing every bit as brightly as it would on a day when there isn't a solar eclipse."[2] If planning to view the eclipse directly, protect your eyes with eclipse glasses. For direct viewing, you need ISO 12312-2 protective glasses. Buy them locally from of the a few of the following retailers:
7-Eleven
Lowe's
Walmart
Toys "R" us
Do not use wrinkled or scratched lenses, or lenses older than 3 years.
Stanford Solar Center has resources on how to project the eclipse for indirect viewing.
4 minute video on eyes, UV rays, and eclipse viewing
For more information visit:
Safe viewing!
Workplace Wellness Wednesday is an awareness bulletin to help you make healthy lifestyle choices. It is not a substitute for your healthcare provider.
No affiliations with mentioned companies.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protect Your Eyes During a Solar Eclipse. https://www.cdc.gov/features/solar-eclipse-safety/index.html. Accessed August 16, 2017.
2. Hersher, Rebecca. Here's What You Need To Know About The Total Solar Eclipse. NPR. http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/16/541132645/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-total-solar-eclipse. Accessed August 16, 2017.
Image. NASA. How to View the 2017 Solar Eclipse Safely. https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety. Accessed August 16, 2017.
