Viewing a Solar Eclipse
Our office is receiving calls asking whether we are selling solar eclipse viewing glasses for the eclipse.
I DO NOT recommend viewing the solar eclipse at all… regardless of approved or not. It is not worth the risk. Here are a few points to consider.
- Solar Retinopathy (aka PERMANENT vision loss) is possible if you view it incorrectly. It is not fixable and can happen quickly without you having immediate symptoms.
- Stacking multiple pairs of regular (or in combination with prescription) sunglasses together is NOT safe.
- Your retina (what you see within the back of your eye) does NOT have pain receptors, so it won’t “hurt” like a sunburn. However, like a sunburn, the damaging effects often don’t show up right away. It could be days later before the damage shows up. See #1 above!
- Kids and the eclipse: Bottomline – just don’t. PLEASE don’t have them view it. Decades of permanent vision loss is what you’re up against.
NASA will take pictures of the eclipse and view it safely online or on TV. It is NOT worth risking your eyesight on this.