Watching a solar eclipse is very exciting, and having the proper eyewear to view it is essential for protecting your eyes. Since the naked eye cannot safely view solar eclipses, having the correct lenses in your glasses is crucial for experiencing this rare event, which occurs once a year.
At rx-safety.com, we offer Solar Eclipse Glasses. We have designed frames and goggles that provide complete protection and, when combined with welders’ Shade 14 lenses, are perfect for observing solar eclipses or sun-gazing.
Many people seek more than the traditional pinhole method to witness a solar eclipse. These astronomical events are rare occurrences, and people crave an authentic experience. If you missed the total solar eclipse of 2017 or lacked proper viewing equipment, fret not. The next opportunity to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon as it traverses the United States will be on April 8, 2024.
How does a solar eclipse hurt unprotected eyes?
Looking into a solar eclipse isn’t likely to cause complete blindness. However, it can cause limited, permanent damage. Depending on how long you directly observe a solar eclipse, you can develop blind spots in the center of your vision. Even though these damaged areas would only make up a small portion of your total vision, they can permanently disable you or get your driver’s license revoked.
But how does that damage happen?
If you risk a glance at the sun during a typical day, that urge won’t last long. The light is so bright that you’ll almost immediately have to close your eyes or look away. And that’s not a challenge; it’s the blink reflex doing its job. Our eyes register excessively bright light as unpleasant and dangerous, so our eyes and brains work together to prevent that damage. But during an event like a total solar eclipse, everything is dim, making staring at the sun a lot more bearable.
When your eyes’ photoreceptors are being destroyed, the real damage doesn’t require visible light. There also aren’t any nerves in your eyes to tell your brain that there’s something dangerous through a pain signal. So you’re far more likely to look at a source of harmful radiation for too long, and you will know to look away once the damage has already been done.
Usually, you’ll get your first warning the following day. Unexpected blurriness, bright spots, and black spots are potential symptoms of retinal damage. The damage may be permanent, or it may fade away during a year. Either way, a pair of $30 glasses could have saved your retinas. The proper eclipse eyewear is more than just strongly tinted. NASA & ISO-12312-2 recommends a welder shade of 12 or Higher to View the solar eclipse. However, solar eclipse shade 14 lenses are the most popular and recommended shade to offer the best protection. These specialty lenses are usually unavailable in shops, so planning to view the next eclipse in your area is essential.
What’s IR radiation?
IR radiation is infrared light. The visible spectrum of light isn’t the only radiation that can hurt your eyes. The invisible infrared radiation causes the potential retinal damage you’re trying to avoid. So, look for lenses that block 97% of IR radiation or more. The most important thing to do to prepare for viewing a Solar Eclipse is to protect your eyes! So order your Solar Eclipse Glasses at Rx-Safety and get ready to consider something that is not visible to the naked eye.