How to Protect Your Eyes During a Solar Eclipse
There are few cosmic phenomena as awe-inspiring as a solar eclipse. For thousands of years, human beings have observed these tremendous celestial events, with numerous cultures considering them important enough to record in their historical records. The earliest known instance of such dates all the way back to 3340 B.C.E, roughly one thousand years before the pyramids were built!1
If you’ve never had the privilege of observing one, we have good news. On April 8, 2024, you’ll have a chance to see a total solar eclipse.
Though solar eclipses are magnificent to behold, they’re also dangerous, since staring directly at the sun can cause long-lasting damage to your eyes. So, if you’re planning on viewing the upcoming eclipse, be sure to follow the safety tips below to ensure you can enjoy the event without hurting your eyes.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, briefly obscuring the sun’s rays2. Because of the shadow this creates—that iconic black circle surrounded by a halo of light—some might be tempted to stare skyward at the darkened sun. But this is an illusion, and staring at the sun, even during a total eclipse, can damage your eyes.
The type of eclipse that occurs is dependent on a number of factors, including the alignment of the sun, earth, and moon, as well as the location of the viewer. An Annular Solar Eclipse occurs when the moon is close to its farthest position away from the Earth, and thus does not obscure the sun completely. A Total Solar Eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when the moon completely blocks the sun, allowing viewers to briefly glimpse the sun’s outer atmosphere, also known as the corona. For people living in the United States, the next Total Solar Eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024.
These aren’t the only kinds of solar eclipses, though. There are also Partial Eclipses—when only a portion of the sun is obscured on account of differing alignments between the sun, moon, and earth. And a Hybrid Solar Eclipse is when the curvature of the earth causes an eclipse to alternate between an annular and total eclipse.
How to Keep Your Eyes Safe During a Solar Eclipse
As we mentioned above, viewing a solar eclipse without the proper eyewear can cause permanent damage to your eyes. The common name for this type of damage is “eclipse blindness,” and because the retina doesn’t have any pain sensors, you may not even realize you’re hurting your eyes. It can even take hours, sometimes days, to realize you’ve damaged them.3 If you notice that your vision is distorted after viewing an eclipse, it’s essential you reach out to an eye professional as soon as possible.
Some people think they can get around this issue by viewing an eclipse through a camera or wearing sunglasses with polarized lenses. Unless your device is specifically designed for solar eclipses, don’t take the risk.
Thankfully, there are a few different ways you can protect your eyes during an eclipse:
- Wear approved solar eclipse glasses that have the ISO 12312-2 filters in them
- Make sure your solar eclipse glasses aren’t damaged in any way. If there are tears or scratches in your glasses, don’t use them
- Wear your glasses for the entirety of the eclipse, even during the small span of time when the sun is completely obscured
Information received through VSP Vision Care's social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. shop eyeconic connect my benefits