Protecting Your Eyes During the Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipses have captivated people for generations—and for good reason! But, directly viewing these celestial events can threaten your vision. Learn how to safely enjoy Ohio’s upcoming solar eclipse without putting your eyes at risk.

What is a solar eclipse?

During a solar eclipse, the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks or partially blocks sunlight. There are anywhere from 2-5 solar eclipses per year, and the next two are quickly approaching (October 14, 2023 and April 8, 2024)!

On October 14, several states (from Oregon to Texas) will experience an annular or “ring of fire” eclipse where the sun’s light “frames” the moon. In Ohio, there will be a partial eclipse, where the moon passes in front of part of the sun to reveal a beautiful crescent shape.

How to safely watch a solar eclipse

Staring directly at the sun for even a short time can damage your retina and lead to vision loss. Fortunately, there are several ways to observe an eclipse safely! To look directly at the eclipse, you will need special solar filter eye protection. These filters are available in handheld viewers or eclipse glasses. Before purchasing a solar filter product, be sure to read the packaging. Genuine solar eclipse glasses will have CE and ISO certifications to ensure proper safety standards. When using these glasses, carefully adhere to all instructions, and help little ones keep their eyes safe during the eclipse, as well. Remember: though sunglasses and solar eclipse glasses may seem similar, regular sunglasses do not offer sufficient protection when observing the sun directly.

If you don’t have time to purchase eclipse glasses, or if you are interested in viewing the “ring of fire” (which is not fully visible in Ohio), you don’t have to miss out. Several live streams are available where you can virtually view this solar event.

With these tips in mind, we hope you keep your sights set on eye safety during the eclipse. Happy viewing!