Learn more about staying safe during the solar eclipse.

You’ve already marked your calendar and told all your friends where to meet up for the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. But before you finalize your plans, there are some safety concerns to consider.

Witnessing a solar eclipse is one of the most spectacular sights, but it can also be dangerous — especially to your eyes.

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Solar Eclipse Eye Safety

The only time you can safely view the sun directly during the solar eclipse is during the total phase. This is the brief period when the moon is completely blocking the sun. If you live in the zone of totality, you can safely view the sun during this brief period.

Before and after the total phase, looking at the sun directly can cause severe eye injury. If you live outside the zone of totality, looking at the sun directly at any time during the eclipse can cause severe injury.

However, you can protect your eyes with special solar-viewing glasses.

Are you fully prepared? Follow these safety tips so you can enjoy this phenomenal event.

Purchase solar-viewing glasses

Even if you’re not in the direct path to view the total eclipse of the sun, you still need proper solar-viewing glasses.

Many people don’t know they can purchase these glasses and may think they’re a scam. However, solar-viewing glasses are necessary if you want to avoid permanent damage to your eyes from viewing the solar eclipse. Here’s what to look out for when purchasing your solar-viewing glasses:

  • Sunglasses won’t cut it. Normal sunglasses (even if they’re polarized) won’t protect your eyes from the damaging effects of the solar eclipse.
  • Look for a label that says ISO. (This stands for International Organization for Standardization.) Glasses should have an ISO 12312-2 certificate printed on them.
  • Buy from a reputable vendor. The American Astronomical Society recognizes multiple companies that make and sell approved solar-viewing glasses.
  • Ensure your glasses are free of scratches and flaws.
  • Also, do not look at the eclipse directly through a telescope, binoculars, a camera, or any other lens or device. Doing so will instantly cause severe eye injury, NASA says. You can purchase a solar filter for your camera, binoculars, or telescope to safely view the eclipse.

You can find these glasses at local convenience and hardware stores.

Indirect viewing of the eclipse

If you cannot find specialized solar-viewing glasses, you can view the solar eclipse indirectly.

One way to do that is with a pinhole projector. This uses a small opening to project an image of the sun onto a nearby surface. You can look at the projection safely with the sun at your back. Note: Do not look at the sun directly through the pinhole.

See a video from NASA’s website on how you can build your own pinhole projector.

Learn more about the UPMC Vision Institute

More Eclipse Safety Tips

Eye safety is crucial during the solar eclipse. But you should also be aware of travel safety, skin safety, and more.

Travel safely

If you’re planning to travel to get a good view of the eclipse, you’re not alone. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) expects millions of Americans to travel to see the event. This surge in travel could lead to increased traffic congestion.

Be sure to make arrangements for extra travel time. Study your route so you know where the rest stops are and where you can buy gas and food.

In a video message, FHWA Director Shailen Bhatt made several safety recommendations for travelers. These included:

  • Don’t try to watch the eclipse while driving.
  • Don’t stop on the interstate or highway shoulder to view the eclipse. Find a safe place away from traffic to park and watch the event.
  • If traveling in the path of the eclipse, turn on your headlights to increase visibility during darker periods.
  • Pay attention to construction work zones.
  • Stay alert for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Additionally, hotel accommodations will be hard to come by. Consider alternate overnight plans like a campground or staying with friends or relatives.

Prepare for overwhelming crowds

An event like the solar eclipse doesn’t often happen. So you should expect parade-like crowds and traffic congestion.

Be sure to get to your viewing location with plenty of time to spare to stake out some space for you and your family or friends. Also, collect the contact information for everyone in your group, and establish a meeting spot on the outskirts of the crowd in case you get separated.

There’s only a little time left before the big event! Make sure you follow these preparations so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy this momentous occasion.

Skin safety

The sun can still damage your skin during the solar eclipse. It will be very bright during the partial phases of the total eclipse. So it’s important to keep your skin safety in mind. Follow these tips for your skin:

  • Dress in long sleeves, long pants, and wear wide-brimmed hats to reduce sun exposure to your skin.
  • Use sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of 15 or higher on any exposed skin. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours.

With these safety tips in mind, try to have safe and enjoyable solar eclipse experience.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

About UPMC Vision Institute

The UPMC Vision Institute is a national leader in the treatment of eye diseases and disorders. We seek to improve and restore your vision to help your quality of life, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions in both children and adults. Our treatments include both surgical and nonsurgical options. We also offer routine eye screenings and have full-scale optical shops. Find an eye expert close to you.