The solar eclipse can damage your eyes: ‘Do not underestimate the power of the sun’
NEW YORK (PIX11) – By now, you’ve likely heard you need to use special glasses to view the total solar eclipse that will cross through parts of North America Monday afternoon.
New York City is not in the path of totality, so people in the city will only experience a partial solar eclipse.
Total solar eclipse viewing parties in NYC
Since New York City is outside the path of totality, you may be wondering if it’s safe to view the eclipse without protective glasses.
“When you are in an area that is in full totality, you can actually take off your glasses shielding your eyes and take a glimpse at the sun because the moon is blocking the rays from the sun,” said Dr. Nitish Mehta, an assistant professor practicing vitreoretinal surgery at NYU Langone Health. “It’s like this quasi-night that happens. And that’s what is exciting. But when you’re outside of the path of totality, you don’t get that full protection that the moon provides.”
Will looking at the solar eclipse damage your eyes?
Looking at the solar eclipse will damage your eyes and vision. It can cause a condition called solar retinopathy, which affects your retina.
The retina is in your eye. It senses light and directs signals to your brain so you can see. About 90% of your vision comes from this part of your eyes.
Solar retinopathy causes blurred vision, affects central vision, can create dark spots in your vision, and affects 20/20 vision.
Solar retinopathy explained:
Imagine your sight as a pristine coffee table. Now imagine you are drinking a cup of coffee and you place a mug on the table without a coaster. The circular dark mark that is left behind on the table is a stain that will last forever.
Like the coffee stain, solar retinopathy lasts forever. No amount of surgery or medicine can treat this condition; it is incurable, according to Dr. Mehta.
How can you avoid damaging your eyes during the eclipse?
Welder glasses 12 or 14 and above can be used to view the eclipse, but the safest glasses to wear are ones certified as ISO 12312-2.
“Wear the glasses; do not underestimate the power of the sun,” Dr. Mehta said. “It can ruin your eyes and vision. I have seen it.”
Where can you find protective glasses?
NASA has released a list of suppliers where you can find certified eclipse glasses. The list can be found here.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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