On April 8, North America will experience its second total solar eclipse in seven years. The best part – Indiana is directly in its path, giving Hoosiers one of the best viewing sites across the U.S. Ophthalmology professor, David Plager, MD, has some tips for you to be prepared to see the greatest sight nature offers and helps to answer common questions when it comes to protecting your eyes.
How exactly does viewing the eclipse without proper glasses cause damage to the eye and what potential damage could it cause?
Viewing the sun during an eclipse carries the same risks as viewing the sun directly any other time - it is not a good idea! Prolonged viewing directly at the sun can cause a “sunburn” of sorts on the front surface of your eye (the cornea) which can be quite painful - as if you inflicted many small scratches on your eye. Even more importantly, viewing the sun directly can burn the retina in the back of the eye which can result in permanent loss of central vision.
Can I use my solar viewers with my telescope or binoculars?
Telescopes and binoculars can be used if they are fitted with special filters made for viewing the sun that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard.
How do our eyes process looking and watching the eclipse?
Viewing the eclipse is just like viewing the sun directly, except that some or all of the sun is blocked by the moon going across the sky directly between you and the sun. The only time it is safe to view the sun is during totality when all the sun’s rays are blocked by the moon. As soon as the sun starts to show again, you must have approved eye protection on.
If I have a vision impairment, how will this potentially impact my viewing of the eclipse?
Depending on what the vision impairment is, it may make you even more vulnerable to sun damage from viewing the eclipse inappropriately.
Do normal sunglasses suffice to watch the eclipse?
No! Conventional sunglasses only dim the light, they do not block the harmful UV or infrared rays sufficiently. Eclipse viewing glasses must meet the ISO 12312-2 standard for approved protective eye wear.
Will my eyes experience anything once the eclipse is over?
No, as long as you have not stared at the sun or eclipse inappropriately, your vision will be the same as it was prior to the eclipse, once the sun is uncovered by the moon.
