The much-anticipated total solar
eclipse takes place a week from today. A map of the eclipse path is here. Another one is here. This cautionary message by an optometrist is from a Facebook page, via Conservative Treehouse.
As an Optometrist , I want to express concern that
I have about the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug 21. There are serious risks
associated with viewing a solar eclipse directly, even with the use of solar
filter glasses. Everyone should keep in mind if they or their children are
considering this.
We have to keep in mind that some people will
encounter the inability to control every aspect of this exercise. For instance,
true solar eclipse glasses are made for adults, do not fit children well and
should not be used without direct parental supervision. If the solar glasses do
not filter out 100% of the harmful UV rays, if they are not used absolutely
perfectly, or should there be a manufacturing defect in any of them, this will
result in permanent and irreversible vision loss for any eye exposed. Just like
sunburn to the skin, the effects are not felt or noticed immediately. I have a
great fear that I will have patients in my office on Tuesday, Aug 22 who woke
up with hazy, blurry vision that I cannot fix. It is a huge risk to watch the
eclipse even with the use of solar glasses. There is no absolutely safe way to
do so other than on TV.
The biggest danger with children is ensuring
proper use without direct parental supervision. As the eclipse passes over many
places, including Columbus, the moon will not block 100% of the sun. Because so
much of its light is blocked by the moon, if one looks at it without full
protection, it does not cause pain as looking at the sun does on a regular day.
Normally if you try to look at the sun, it physically hurts and you can’t see
anything. During an eclipse, however, it is easier to stare for a bit….and even
less than 30 seconds of exposure to a partially eclipsed sun, you can burn a
blind spot right to your most precious central vision. With solar glasses you
can’t see ANYTHING except the crescent of light of the sun. Kids could have a
tendency to want to peak around the filter to see what is actually going on up
there. One failure, just one, where education and supervision fail, will have
such a devastating consequence.
Please, please be safe. Watch it on television.
Or live stream it via NASA. Pass it
on.
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