On Monday, April 8, the residents of Southern Manitoba will have the opportunity to observe a partial solar eclipse.
Although the upcoming eclipse is a rare, exciting, and beautiful occurrence, it is essential to view it safely to avoid injury. Dr. Crystal Henderson, optometrist at Focal Point Comprehensive Vision Care in Morden, cautions us to use proper eye protection during this astronomical event: “It's important to note that it's never safe to look directly at the sun. The day of an eclipse is no exception.”
According to Dr. Henderson, staring at the sun without eye protection, even if it is partially blocked by the moon, can lead to vision loss: “When part of the sun is blocked by the moon, it can seem not as bright. However, staring at the sun without proper eye protection can result in damage to your retina, called solar retinopathy. Because there are no pain receptors in the retina, this damage can occur without any sensation of pain, and you may not even realize it's happening until it's too late. Visual symptoms may not be noticed for several hours. After the damage has been done, [it] can be permanent and unfortunately, there is no treatment available.”
Viewing the eclipse offers a special opportunity to share an experience with one's children, but It is especially important to educate them on eye protection. Dr. Henderson encourages parents to speak to children with language that they can understand. One possible strategy Dr. Henderson offers is to compare the damage that an eclipse can do to that of a sunburn: “Just like the sun can give your skin a sunburn, direct sun exposure can be hard on your eyes as well.”
Children are looking forward to viewing partial eclipse through protective lenses. Photo submitted by Pam Fedack.Dr. Henderson also states that it would be wise to keep a close eye on children during the eclipse: “It's always important not to look at the sun. It's always dangerous. But on the day of an eclipse, it's an unusual time where we're more conscious of looking at the sun because it's very exciting and there's something new going on.” Because of this focus on the sky, it's vital to ensure that children aren't looking up without adequate protection.
Viewing the eclipse safely is important for everyone. Dr. Henderson says that "there are only two safe options to directly view an eclipse. The first one is wearing ISO certified eclipse shades, which provide specifically designed protection for viewing. The second option would be a [shade] 14 welder's glass."
Dr. Henderson also cautions us to not look at the eclipse through phones and lenses: “You would never want to look at the sun or the partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope or binoculars or any other device, because you are still getting that exposure.”
If you don't have the proper protective eyewear, only indirect viewing is safe. An alternative to viewing the eclipse directly could be watching a live stream broadcast, such as the Manitoba Museum live stream. You may also refer to the Manitoba Museum for instructions on how to construct a safe viewing lens at home.
Dr. Henderson is looking forward to enjoying the eclipse on Monday together with her son. The two will be sharing a pair of certified eclipse shades for the special event.
Fri, May 3, 8:25 AM
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