Catching a glimpse of Monday’s rare solar eclipse can be exciting – but can cause lasting vision damage without proper safety precautions, say faculty members at Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry.
“Unsafe viewing of the sun, even for a few seconds, is not worth a lifetime of vision impairment,” said Dr. Eric Syverson, an MCO assistant professor and chief of Medical and Surgical Services.
A rare total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday, April 8. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun – blocking the sun’s light and darkening the sky as if late in the evening or early in the morning.
As cool as a rare solar eclipse is to observe, Syverson strongly urges skywatchers to carefully use special eye protection and limit even protected exposure to minimize the risk of eye damage.
“Some may say it is safe to r