TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – We are almost two weeks away from the Great American Total Solar Eclipse, and as we get closer to this rare event, eclipse glasses will be increasingly harder to find. Because of that, counterfeit, unsafe viewing glasses may be put on the market to fill in the gaps.
On Apr. 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible through nearly all of North America, with many East Texas towns being in the path of totality.
Dr. Timothy Young with Lehmann Eye Center says proper eclipse viewing glasses are a necessity.
“It’s important to use proper eclipse glasses when looking at the eclipse due to the intense light from the sun, which can damage the retina of the eye and cause potential permanent vision damage,” Young said. This damage could be anything from light sensitivity to blind spots in a person’s central vision.
During the 2017 eclipse, the American Astronomical Society warned the public that fake solar eclipse glasses were being manufactured and sold online to meet the increased demand.
Dr. Beau Hartweg says there’s a way to see if your glasses are safe for the event.
“There is a special ISO rating. It’s the International Standards Organization, and the number that you want to look for is 12312-2,” Hartweg said.
Dr. Anna Lehmann says sunglasses are not an alternative option.
“There is a very special solar filter built into those glasses. They are not just like sunglasses. It’s not just a UV filter,” Lehmann said.
Dr. James Berg says people want to take pictures, videos and even look at the eclipse through binoculars, but even that can be dangerous.
“Even if you are wearing the proper eclipse glasses on your eyes, you do not want to have uncovered binoculars or cameras in front because the lenses in those devices can actually focus the sunrays more intensely than the filters in the glasses,” Berg said.
Hartweg says it’s important to purchase glasses through trusted vendors.
“The American Astronomical Society has a great website with a list of all the approved vendors,” Hartweg said.
We now have KLTV and KTRE-branded ISO Safe glasses for free at participating local Dairy Queens.
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