Solar Eclipse Safety

On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a solar eclipse when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth. In our region, the moon will block only part of the sun around 1:00 pm to 3:10 pm. During this time, it is important to plan and take precautions to be safe.

Protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse

It is dangerous to look directly at the sun at any time – and especially during an eclipse because the sunlight is still present even when the moon is blocking part or all of the sun. Looking at the sun directly can harm your eyes and even cause permanent damage and loss of sight.

Avoiding eye damage during a solar eclipse

To avoid eye damage during a solar eclipse, you can do the following:

  • Do not look directly at the eclipse at all
  • If you want to look at the eclipse, only use safe solar eclipse viewers or filters that meet international standard ISO 12312-2. They will make the sun look comfortably bright like the full moon.
  • Do not use homemade filters, sunglasses, camera lenses, smoked glass, photographic, or x-ray film other things that are not specifically made for viewing eclipses. This includes devices used in combination with a binocular or telescope to view a solar eclipse
  • Do not use a viewer or filter that makes the sun look too bright, out of focus, or hazy through the device
    • Do not use the viewer or filter if you’re unsure about its safety or if it is not from a reputable vendor
  • Keep a close eye on children during a solar eclipse. Their eyes let in more light to the retina than adult eyes, so they are at higher risk of harm if they look at the sun without proper eye protection

Using eye protection during a solar eclipse

When using eye protection to view a solar eclipse, do the following:

  • Read and follow all directions
  • Check the viewer or filter for any damage, wrinkles, punctures, or scratches before using it
  • Put on the viewer before looking at the solar eclipse and turn away from the eclipse before removing the viewer
  • Help children use their eye protection correctly and provide adult supervision

Dangers of viewing the solar eclipse without proper eye protection

Staring at the sun without protection may cause solar retinopathy, which is damage to your retina – the tissue at the back of your eye. Your retinas do not have pain sensors to signal damage from staring at the sun.

Symptoms may only surface 12 to 48 hours later and could involve retinal burns, temporary or permanent vision loss, and blurred vision. Unfortunately, once symptoms start, it is usually too late to reverse any resulting damage.

If you experience any changes in your vision following the solar eclipse, go to a hospital or your optometrist to be assessed. Do not drive.

Last modified: 5 March 2024