How to Safely Watch the Great American Eclipse 2017
Taken from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, June 30, 2017. Looking directly at the sun during most parts of an eclipse can permanently damage your vision or blind you. But there are easy ways to view a solar eclipse safely. On August 21, 2017, the entire United States will see a partial eclipse of the sun. Parts of 11 states will experience a total solar eclipse. If you get a chance to see it, make sure to take care of your vision during the eclipse.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has teamed up with the American Astronomical Society to offer these five tips:
- Use specially designed solar eclipse glasses & viewers to block the sun's harmful rays. They must meet a very specific standard known as ISO 12312-2. Ordinary sunglasses, even dark ones, are not strong enough to protect your eyes. To date, only four manufacturers have certified that their eclipse glasses and viewers meet international safety standards:
- Rainbow Symphony
- American Paper Optics
- Thousand Oaks Optical
- TSE 17
- Inspect your solar filter before the eclipse, and don't use it if it is scratched or damaged
- Use solar filters on camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes
- Do not use solar eclipse glasses to look through a camera, binoculars or a telescope. The sun can melt the filter and damage your eyes.
The doctors and staff at Eye Consultants of Northern Virginia, PC encourage our patients to be safe while enjoying this rare and wonderful phenomenon! For more information on solar eclipse safety, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website: https://www.aao.org/eye-health.tips-prevention.how-to-safely-watch-great-american-eclipse-of-2017
POSTED BY WENDY FORD, COMT
