FOX 7 Discussion: Importance of solar eclipse glasses

The total solar eclipse is on August 21. It's a once in a lifetime event that you don't want to miss, especially if you are living in the Carolinas. But you may be asking yourself, "how do I view the eclipse safely?,"do I need a pair of glasses to view the eclipse?," "what happens if I don't have glasses?" Not to worry, we've got you covered.

First of all, glasses are a must! It’s unsafe to look directly at the sun without solar glasses as the eclipse is taking place. You'll want to make sure your eclipse glasses meet the following criteria:

• Should be certified with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
• Have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product
• Do NOT use if they are older than three years, or have scratched/wrinkled lenses
• Do NOT use homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses. Even the very dark glasses are not safe for looking directly at the Sun

You can remove the glasses during the brief total phase of a solar eclipse (“totality”). The total phase is achieved when the moon entirely blocks the sun’s bright face. If you are not in the narrow path of totality, you will need to wear them through the entire event.

Here to talk about the dangers during the eclipse is Dr, Emily Simonek with Austin Eye Studio.