Whenever a solar eclipse comes around, we get asked the same question a lot: how can I watch a solar eclipse? If you’re interested in watching a solar eclipse without damaging your eyes, read on!
What is a solar eclipse?
When the moon slips between the sun and the earth, it is called a solar eclipse. The result is that the face of the sun casts a shadow on the Earth. If the moon completely blocks the sun, it is a total eclipse. The next total solar eclipse will be on April 8, 2024, and will be visible (either fully or partially) throughout the entire continental US!
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon only blocks part of the sun. The next partial solar eclipse will be on March 29, 2025.
ECLIPSE WATCH 2024 | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
The third type of solar eclipse is called an annular solar eclipse. During an annular solar eclipse, the moon only blocks the sun’s center, leaving the sun’s outer circle visible. The next annular solar eclipse will be visible in parts of North America, Central America, and South America on October 14, 2023.
Because they are so uncommon, it can be exciting to go out and look at a solar eclipse. With these safety tips, you’ll be able to watch this celestial event without risking your eye health.
How can a solar eclipse damage your eyes?
Don’t be deceived when the sun’s illumination is comparable to twilight. Even when 99% of the sun’s surface is hidden, the remaining rays are fierce enough to cause a retinal burn, also known as solar retinopathy or eclipse blindness.
The retina — located at the back of the eye — is critical in transmitting light entering the eye to your brain, where it is converted into images. Retinal burns have no initial pain and it can take several hours for symptoms to appear. While vision may improve over the next few weeks or months, vision loss from retinal burns is usually permanent.
Symptoms of eclipse blindness include:
- Bad vision
- Blind spots
- Distortion of shapes
- Change or tinting of color perception
- Light sensitivity
People experiencing eye damage should schedule an evaluation with Assil Gaur Eye Institute’s retinal specialist Dr. Pilyugina right away.
Schedule your consultation today with the internationally recognized doctors at AGEI
Or call
866-945-2745
A real-life example of what can happen if you look at the sun during a solar eclipse
Following a total solar eclipse in the United Kingdom in 1999, ophthalmologists reported 70 patients with retinal lesions. Most of the patients viewed the sun either without protective devices (56%) or through sunglasses (30%). The remaining 14% claimed to have used “eclipse glasses” or “welder’s masks.”
Scientists believe that all or most of the viewing devices were homemade and not certified as safe. Fortunately, all the patients recovered their vision after several weeks.
How can you maintain eye safety and look at a solar eclipse?
The American Society of Retinal Specialists has put out a special safety guide for protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse.
Unless you have special viewing equipment for eye protection, the only time to safely look at the sun’s bright face (very briefly!) with the naked eye is when the moon’s shadow completely covers the front of the sun during a total eclipse within the very narrow path of totality. Be aware that the full effect of the moon covering the sun during a total eclipse may be short-lived (two to three minutes). If you are looking at the sun and the moon moving, you may be susceptible to retinal burns.
While looking at the eclipse may sound exciting, it isn’t worth the risk.
The only safe way to view a solar eclipse is by using special solar eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Eclipse glasses look like old-fashioned 3D glasses; safe viewing glasses are black or may have a silvery coating on the outside and are specially built to block 99.9% of the sun’s rays for secure viewing.
When purchasing super-dark eclipse glasses, make sure they are ISO certified to meet ISO 12312-2 international safety standards and also approved by the American Astronomical Society.
Can I watch a solar eclipse without eclipse glasses?
Do not look at a solar eclipse with regular sunglasses (they only block out 60% of light), a cell phone, a camera lens, binoculars, a telescope, or any other optical device that doesn’t have a special-purpose solar filter. Without proper protection, concentrated solar rays may burn your eyes. If your solar glasses become scratched, buy a new pair.
NASA suggests that viewers without special glasses use a pinhole projector. Pinhole projection involves a small cardboard or index card opening that projects an image of the sun onto a nearby white surface. Then, you can safely view the projected image with the sun at your back.
Another total eclipse viewing device is level 14 welding glasses. Level 14 is the highest rating for welding glasses, anything lower may be safe for a time, but we don’t recommend gambling with your eye health. As with the eclipse glasses, don’t use welding glasses if there are any scratches or damage to the glass.
Why trust AGEI with your eyesight?
Under the leadership of Drs. Assil and Gaur, the Assil Gaur Eye Institute has assembled a team of top ophthalmology specialists to uphold AGEI’s tradition of offering patients the highest quality of specialist eye care in the United States. In keeping with the founding principles of AGEI, our doctors have managed to keep their clinics comfortable and familiar, much like how family-run medical practices used to be.
Today, AGEI is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centric care, commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology, and dedication to supporting its patients’ and community’s health and well-being.
Assil Gaur Eye Institute remains laser-focused on our founding mission of providing exceptional health care in a compassionate and caring environment. We continue to be driven to advance the field of ophthalmology and give back to our community every day.
Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.
We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
As a member of an elite group of only 3000 retina-vitreous specialists in the United States, Stanford trained Dr. Pilyugina brings to AGEI a unique skill set in the treatment and surgery of retinal disease. Her academic credentials include numerous research papers, conference presentations, medical publications, and clinical trials.
In recognition of her expertise, Dr. Pilyugina was asked to serve as Chief Editor for New Retinal Physician, a supplement published by the Retinal Physician Journal.
