Monday’s Eclipse. Be Prepared!

photo credit: NASA eclipse 2017

Another warning via cleveland.com:

Planning to see Monday's eclipse with your own eyes? Be careful where you're buying your protective eye wear.

The American Astronomical Society has received reports of fake solar eclipse glasses being sold, and Amazon has issued refunds for glasses later found not to meet industry standards. Counterfeit glasses may claim to be certified International Organization for Standardization, imprinted with the code ISO 12312-2, but don't filter the sun's rays and can cause retinal damage.

The society has a list of approved eyeglass and filter vendors on its website, and says people should check glasses

Monday's solar eclipse is the first to span the United States in 99 years. But outside of a narrow path, most of the country will see the moon only partially cover the sun.

Looking at the sun might not feel painful, but it could cause blurry vision and temporary or permanent blindness, according to the American Optometric Association.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office, which monitors scams, offered these tips for consumers who want to safely view the event:

Call your local library. More than 2 million eclipse glasses were sent to libraries for distribution and for eclipse viewing events. Several Ohio libraries plan to hold viewing events where glasses will be provided.

Test your glasses ahead of time. Proper eclipse eye wear will block everything except the sun. Be cautious if you can see other lights or brightness through the glasses. Glasses should not have holes or tears.

Skip regular sunglasses. Wearing regular sunglasses or stacking multiple pairs on top of each other will not protect eyes from looking directly at the sun.

Get advice for using a solar filter. Cameras, cell phone cameras, binoculars, telescopes and other devices will need a solar filter to view the eclipse without damage to the camera sensor or the viewer's eyes. Consult with a professional for how to properly use a filter.

Best option: watch the eclipse on a TV screen. NASA info, maps, and live stream links are here and here.

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Solar eclipse a week from today. Warning!

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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