On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a solar eclipse when the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth. In Toronto, it is expected to be a near- total solar eclipse between 2:04 p.m. and 4:31 p.m., with the peak happening at 3:19 p.m. That’s when most of the Sun’s light will be covered by the Moon. Since this occurs when many people are returning home from school or work, it is important to plan ahead and take precautions.
How to Protect Your Eyes During a Solar Eclipse
It is dangerous to look directly at the sun any time – and especially during an eclipse. This can harm your eyes and even cause permanent damage and loss of sight.
To avoid eye damage during a solar eclipse:
- Do not look directly at the eclipse at all.
- If you want to look at the eclipse, only use safe solar eclipse viewers or filters that meet international standard ISO 12312- 2. They will make the sun look comfortably bright like the full moon.
- Do not use homemade filters, sunglasses, camera lenses, smoked glass, photographic or x-ray film other things that are not specifically made for viewing eclipses. This includes devices used in combination with a binocular or telescope to view a solar eclipse.
- Do not use a viewer or filter that makes the sun looks too bright, out of focus or hazy through the device.
- Do not use the viewer or filter if you’re unsure about its safety or if it is not from a reputable vendor.
- Keep a close eye on children during a solar eclipse. Their eyes let in more light to the retina than adult eyes, so they are at higher risk of harm if they look at the sun without proper eye protection.
Tips When Using Eye Protection
- Read and follow all directions.
- Check the viewer or filter for any damage, wrinkles, punctures or scratches before using it.
- Put on the viewer before looking at the solar eclipse and turn away from the eclipse before removing.
- Help children use their eye protection correctly and provide adult supervision.
Dangers of Viewing the Solar Eclipse without Proper Eye Protection
Staring at the sun without protection may cause solar retinopathy, which is damage to your retina – the tissue at the back of your eye. Your retinas do not have pain sensors to signal damage from staring at the sun.
Symptoms may only surface 12 to 48 hours later and could involve retinal burns, temporary or permanent vision loss, and blurred vision. Unfortunately, once symptoms start, it is usually too late to reverse any resulting damage.
If you experience any changes in your vision following the solar eclipse, go to a hospital or your optometrist to be assessed. Do not drive.
