Health experts have issued an urgent warning ahead of the solar eclipse this week, urging people to avoid causing damage to their eyes during the rare celestial event. While it is an incredibly exciting event you definitely won't want to miss, the eclipse must be viewed safely to avoid sustaining any damage to your retina.
Eclipse Details and Viewing Times
As the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth on Wednesday (August 12), up to 96 per cent of the Sun will be covered from the UK, dimming the sky as the sunlight is blocked. The solar eclipse will be visible across the whole of the UK. While those watching in the South West are likely to see the best eclipse, around 90 per cent of the Sun will still be covered from here in Greater Manchester.
In Manchester, the spectacle will begin at 6.13pm and end at 8.03pm, with the maximum eclipse at 7.10pm. The best place to see the solar eclipse is anywhere with a clear view of the western horizon.
Health Risks and Expert Advice
But before the big event, people are being warned that they must not directly look at the eclipse, or risk causing damage to your retina - the thin, light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye.
Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: “The safest way to enjoy the eclipse is to observe it indirectly, such as by watching a live broadcast.
“Looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision. Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens.
“Symptoms may only become apparent several hours later and can include blurred vision, a central blind or dark spot, distorted vision, reduced colour perception and increased sensitivity to light. While some people recover over weeks or months, others can be left with permanent visual impairment.”
Certified Glasses and Safety Measures
Consumers should ensure that their solar eclipse glasses are ISO 12312-2 certified for the safest eye protection should be used to view the eclipse. Experts have warned that so-called eclipse glasses that do not carry the safety standards, or ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark, should never be worn to view an eclipse, as they reduce glare, making it feel more comfortable to look at the Sun for longer, but still allow harmful solar radiation to reach the retina.
Following the 1999 total solar eclipse, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of people experiencing vision problems after watching the eclipse. Around 40% had looked at it for less than a minute.
In a warning to parents, Kyla Black, Boots Opticians director of optical practice, urged people to be “particularly careful” letting their children view the eclipse, and warned some DIY filters can also be dangerous.
“If you’re purchasing specially made eclipse glasses, make sure to double check that they are undamaged before use as even a glimpse of damage could have an impact on your eyesight,” she said.
“It’s a common myth that wearing multiple pairs of sunglasses can protect you from any harmful UV light – this is untrue and should be avoided at all costs as only purpose-built eclipse glasses can allow you to watch an eclipse.”
Ms Black added: “Although a fun idea for many may be to make DIY filters and pinhole projectors out of cereal boxes, this can also be dangerous.
“Objects such as smoked glass, colour film, floppy disks, X-ray film, and dark sunglasses are unable to block invisible infrared and ultraviolet rays, potentially leading to damage to your eyesight.
“Budding astronomers who will be looking through cameras, binoculars or telescopes at the eclipse must make sure they have approved solar filters attached. If you’re not sure your telescope does, then contact the maker of the product to ensure you know you’ll be safe.”
Additional Warnings and Alternative Viewing Methods
The Royal Observatory Greenwich also warned the public that regular sunglasses are not a safe enough method to view the cosmic phenomenon.
Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the observatory, previously told the Press Association: “It’s not a total eclipse, but over 90% is really exciting. We’re not going to get one this good for a really long time.
“So, it’s important not to miss it, and to be prepared. You can’t just go out and expect to have a look, because it’s really dangerous for your eyes.
“So, you can use solar eclipse glasses, which are very, very different from sunglasses – they block out so much light that you can’t see anything through them except the Sun, because that’s how much light they need to block for the damaging light of the Sun to be safe to view.
“Ideally a solar telescope is an amazing way to witness it, and if you don’t have one of them then you can look into whether your local astronomy society is doing any events.”
Ms Bell continues: “And if all else fails, you can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in – point the colander towards the Sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow of the colander you’ll be able to see the eclipse in the holes, which is really cool.”
