PORTLAND, Maine — As we gear up for the total solar eclipse slated for April 8, eye doctors are emphasizing the importance of protecting your eyes during this rare event.
Many eclipse watchers are turning to special glasses for eye protection, but ensuring you have the proper eyewear is crucial to enjoying the eclipse without harming your vision.
Brooke Miller, a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Maine Eye Care, stresses the significance of using approved solar glasses.
Identifying genuine solar glasses can be challenging, though, as there are several online vendors and retailers selling glasses, making it difficult to distinguish between approved and counterfeit ones.
"One of the big ways to know is to look at the American address printed on the outside of the glasses or some companies have it on the inside," Miller said.
Maine Eye Care recommends consulting NASA's list of approved glasses to ensure their authenticity.
Alternatively, viewers can safely observe the eclipse through a pinhole viewer—a simple yet effective method.
Watching the eclipse online or on TV is also a safe option.
However, if you want to witness the spectacular event with your own eyes, Dr. Lisa Neavyn warns of the dangers of direct sun exposure without protective gear.
"Direct rays from the sun can cause a thermal burn to this layer," Neavyn said, emphasizing that even a few seconds of looking directly at the sun can lead to permanent vision loss.
To stay informed about eclipse safety and updates, individuals text the keyword "ECLIPSE" to 207-828-6622 and NEWS CENTER Maine will send a link with more information directly to their phones.
Live eclipse coverage will also be available leading up to the big day.