Protecting Your Eyes During the Solar Eclipse: Expert Advice
The highly anticipated solar eclipse on April 8th will bring the world’s attention to Western New York for one day. As people prepare to witness this rare celestial event, one question arises: Is it safe to look at the sun? According to Dr. Andrew Reynolds, a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at the Ross Eye Institute at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the answer is a resounding no. Even small amounts of direct exposure to the sun can result in permanent vision loss. However, during the four minutes of totality, when the sun is completely occluded by the moon, it is safe to look up and witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Solar retinopathy, a condition where intense light energy damages the retina, can occur when individuals look at the sun for too long. While most cases of solar retinopathy are caused by laser pointers, direct exposure to the sun can also cause irreversible damage. The retina, like the spinal cord, is a central nervous tissue that cannot regenerate. The sun’s rays can burn a hole through the fovea, which is responsible for sharpness of sight, and degrade the viewer’s central vision.
“People who have solar retinopathy, their peripheral vision is totally normal, but they’re left with this big black spot, right where they want to look at everything,” Dr. Reynolds explained. “So, when they try to look at you, you have got a big black spot right in the middle of your face.”
To protect your eyes during the eclipse, it is essential to wear special glasses that filter out the sun’s harmful rays. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun. Dr. Reynolds emphasizes the importance of being prepared and obtaining these glasses to ensure safety. He warns that once the damage is done, there is no effective treatment available.
For visually impaired individuals, there are ways to experience the eclipse safely. Those with low vision can use visual aids like telescopic lenses or special high-powered glasses to enhance their viewing experience. However, it is crucial to wear solar glasses on top of these aids to further dim the sun’s rays. Different pre-existing conditions can affect the risk of eye damage, with corneal scarring or opacities in the front part of the eye allowing in lesser light and causing less harm.
In addition to traditional viewing methods, innovative technologies have been developed to make the eclipse accessible to the low-vision community. Harvard University has created a smartphone-sized device called LightSound, which converts ambient data into sound. This device represents bright daylight with the piping of a flute and indicates the eclipse’s gradual dimming effect with a clarinet. During the moments of totality, soft clicks mark this unique phenomenon. Harvard has made the device and its code open source to encourage easy development and collaboration.
NASA’s Eclipse Soundscapes Project also offers an app that provides audio descriptions of the eclipse in real-time, accompanied by surrounding environmental sounds. Users can visualize the eclipse through a “rumble map,” an interactive and tactile experience that allows them to hear and feel the physical qualities of the eclipse.
As Western New York prepares for the total solar eclipse on April 8th, it is crucial to prioritize eye safety. Whether you are visually impaired or have perfect vision, taking the necessary precautions and using proper protective eyewear will ensure a memorable and safe viewing experience. Remember, there is no safe dose of looking at the sun without proper protection. So, get your solar glasses ready and prepare for an awe-inspiring celestial event.
Reach Debadrita (Deb) at dsur@buffnews.com.