A solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon that millions eagerly anticipate and enjoy. However, witnessing this event without protecting your eyes can lead to serious harm, including solar retinopathy, which can cause temporary or permanent vision damage. To prevent this, experts globally agree on several safety guidelines that can help everyone from amateur spectators to seasoned astronomers enjoy the eclipse without risking ocular health.

Firstly, never look directly at the sun without appropriate eye protection. Regular sunglasses, even those with the darkest lenses, are not safe for viewing a solar eclipse. Instead, you should use special-purpose solar filters, commonly known as ‘eclipse glasses’ or ‘viewers,’ that meet the worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2 for safe viewing.

Here are expert tips for protecting your eyes during a solar eclipse:

1.Obtain ISO-certified Eclipse Glasses: Ensure that the glasses you purchase meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Don’t use them if they are damaged or more than three years old.

2.Use Pinhole Projectors: If you cannot get eclipse glasses, use a pinhole projector to view the eclipse indirectly. This DIY method projects an image of the sun onto a secondary surface.

3.Supervise Children: When experiencing an eclipse, children should be under adult supervision at all times to ensure they keep their protective eyewear on.

4.Avoid Unfiltered Cameras and Telescopes: Looking at a solar eclipse through an unfiltered camera lens, binoculars, telescope or any other optical device without proper filtration can cause severe eye injuries instantly.

5.Check for Scratches and Damages: Before using your eclipse glasses or viewer, inspect them for scratches or damages that could compromise their protective capabilities.

6.Cover Your Eyes Before Looking Up: Place your eclipse glasses over your eyes before looking up at the sun and turn away before removing them. Do not remove them while looking at the sun.

7.Do Not Use Makeshift Filters: Common materials like smoked glass, film negatives, CDs and other improvised filters do not provide sufficient protection against the harmful rays of the sun during an eclipse.

8.Partial Eclipse Viewing: Even if only a fraction of the sun is visible during a partial eclipse phase, it is still dangerous to look at without proper protection.

By following these expert tips and prioritizing eye safety, you can enjoy the awe-inspiring sight of a solar eclipse without fear of harming your eyesight. Remember that when it comes to viewing a solar eclipse, there’s no substitute for proper preparation and eye protection.