2024 Solar Eclipse
The Solar Eclipse is almost here!
The Greater Buffalo-Niagara Region has been gearing up for this event for the past year and the big day is fast approaching. Our area will experience a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. You will begin to see the effects of the eclipse starting around 2:05pm and last until about 4:32pm. The period of full eclipse will last from around 3:18pm to 3:22pm. Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies so that we can experience this event to its full effect!
As with all solar events, eye protection is a must. Looking directly at the sun for even a few moments can cause damage to your eyes. Eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers are equipped with special-purpose solar filters that meet a specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2. Be sure to confirm that any glasses or viewers that you acquire to use during the eclipse meet those standards. There are still eclipse glasses available at many locations around Western New York including all Buffalo & Erie County Library locations, Vidler’s 5&10, Made In America Store, Buffalo Museum of Science, Niagara Falls Visitor Center, and select Wegmans locations. You can also purchase them online from reputable sites like eclipseglasses.com and rainbowsymphony.com.
Protection is important because, without eclipse glasses for safety, the eye could experience permanent damage. While symptoms like headaches, light sensitivity, or eye irritation can all be reported, these symptoms are usually short-lived and not risk factors for permanent damage. They represent similar symptoms to a regular day spent outside in the sun. More significant symptoms of eye damage from looking directly at the sun include blurry vision, a blind spot in your central vision, and distorted vision. These symptoms can result from the effect the direct light has on the retina. Because the retina does not experience pain, the symptoms are mainly central vision changes. Symptoms usually develop within a few hours and can last for a few months. However, there is always a chance of permanent vision loss in the form of distortions or blind spots. If you think you have sustained vision damage during the eclipse, be sure to follow up with your ophthalmologist or optometrist to monitor the extent of any potential damage.
More information about solar eclipse eye safety can be found online through the American Optometric Association – https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/solar-eclipses.
We have decided to close our office on Monday, April 8th to give our staff the chance to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. We hope you’ll have the opportunity to do the same!
Happy viewing!