Keeping Your Eyes Safe During a Solar Eclipse

Eclipse glasses certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard block harmful UV and infrared rays while dimming the sun’s visible light. Always check your glasses for scratches or damage before each use, and replace them if needed.

Pinhole projectors let you watch the eclipse without looking directly at the sun. This keeps eyes completely safe while still letting you enjoy the event.

• Create a small hole in sturdy cardboard.
• Stand with your back to the sun so sunlight passes through the hole.
• Let the sunlight project onto a white surface like paper or a sidewalk.
• Focus only on the projected image, not the sun itself.

Always use certified solar filters on telescopes, binoculars, or cameras before you look through them at the sun. These devices can magnify solar rays, causing severe and quick injury if not properly filtered.

Do not use these items for eclipse viewing, as they do not provide real protection:

• Regular sunglasses, even if very dark
• Exposed film or negatives
• CDs, DVDs, or plastic materials
• Smoked glass or tinted tape
• Any optical device without a certified solar filter

No. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not block enough solar radiation. Only ISO-certified eclipse glasses are safe for viewing the sun during an eclipse.

Always cover your phone's camera lens with a certified solar filter. Never point your phone or camera directly at the sun without an approved filter in place.

Only during the exact time of totality, when the sun is fully blocked by the moon, is it safe to look without protection. Put glasses back on as soon as any sunlight appears.

If you notice blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or a new blind spot, contact an eye doctor right away. Early care helps protect long-term vision health.

Genuine products have the ISO 12312-2 label. When you look at a bright light, only a very dim image should be visible. If you see any bright spots or damage, don’t use them.

No. Homemade options, film, or darkened glass do not protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation. Use only certified solar filters and glasses.

Yes, but they need extra supervision and should use certified protection at all times. Individuals with cataracts, macular degeneration, or other eye conditions should discuss risks with an eye care provider before viewing.

Keep them in a protective case, avoid bending or scratching the filters, and clean only with a soft cloth. Always inspect before use and discard if damaged.

No. Even a quick look without protection can cause permanent eye injury. Always use certified eclipse glasses any time the sun is partially visible.

Watch for blurry or distorted vision, blind spots, or sensitivity to light in the hours or days after the eclipse. Prompt evaluation by an eye doctor is essential if you notice these symptoms.

Not always. Retinal damage is usually painless, so children might not report a problem. Careful supervision and proper glasses are crucial.

Put your glasses on before looking at the sun, and only remove them during full totality. As soon as any sunlight appears, put them back on immediately.

Yes. Phone and camera sensors can be permanently damaged by sunlight just like your eyes. Use certified filters to protect both devices and vision.

During a partial eclipse, some of the sun’s bright surface is still visible and requires protection. During totality, the sun is completely covered, and only during those moments is it safe to view without glasses.

Permanent vision loss from solar retinopathy is rare but can happen if you look at the sun without protection. Take every precaution to lower your risk and enjoy the eclipse safely.