Things You Should Know If You’re Planning To View The Solar Eclipse

On August 21, 2017, people across 11 states in the U.S. will have the rare and memorable opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, including residents of Illinois. Though a total eclipse will be visible only from southern Illinois, namely Carbondale and the surrounding area, those of us in central Illinois will still be able to see a partial eclipse.

Here are some important eye health and safety tips we’d like you to be aware of:

• Those planning to view the solar eclipse should do so only if using special, solar-filtering lenses or handheld solar viewers that are ISO certified.
• Even the darkest sunglasses do not offer enough eye protection to view a solar eclipse.
• Do not use cameras, telescopes, or binoculars unless the equipment contains a solar-filtering lens, as well.  Untreated lenses actually magnify the rays of the sun and can cause even greater damage to the eyes.
• Gailey Eye Clinic will provide a small quantity of complimentary solar-filtering glasses to current patients. Due to the limited quantity, we must limit 2 pairs of glasses per patient. These glasses can also be purchased at many online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
• The AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) recommends using ISO-certified eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers from the following manufacturers:
  • Rainbow Symphony
  • American Paper Optics
  • Thousand Oaks Optical
  • TSE 17
• For those who do not wish to travel to see the eclipse, NASA will provide a safe, live stream of the solar eclipse here.