Don’t be fooled by fake eclipse glasses
Anticipation for the eclipse is increasing, as we are less than a week out from the long-awaited celestial event, which means sales on eclipse glasses are skyrocketing, and so are the scams for glasses that are counterfeit and do not offer the protection you need while staring up at the sky.
Safety tips for the solar eclipse
Here’s a list of things to look for when purchasing your glasses:
Look for the ISO seal and the number 12312-2
The manufacturer’s label should be clearly visible
Check NASA‘s website to find a list of approved retailers and brands
If the company you purchased from is not listed, look for squared ears on glasses as opposed to rounded ears
While there’s no way to check the authenticity of eyewear without some high tech equipment, you can put on your glasses and look toward the sun or a light with comparable brightness. It should appear dim, and you should not be able to see anything else.
If you wear counterfeit glasses to view the eclipse, you could do some serious harm to your eyes.
“They damage cells in your eyes, they damage your retinas and the damage can be permanent,” Alex Young, a solar astrophysicist with NASA, said.
Eclipse glasses are the only way to go when it comes to watching the upcoming event.
“Do not use a camera, set of binoculars, telescope, even your cellphone. Do not view through these even if you’re wearing the ISO stamped, approved protective eyewear, because they are only geared to protect you through normal viewing,” Dr. David N. Ross, optometrist, said.
Locally, we were able to confirm that 7-Eleven stores and Lowe’s carry eclipse glasses that appear to be certified and pass all the tests necessary to guarantee your safety. They are generally inexpensive, with most glasses selling for under $5.
