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Solar Eclipse Safety

LEONARDTOWN, MD (August 18, 2017) – On Monday, August 21, there will be a partial solar eclipse in St. Mary’s County, beginning around 1:15 p.m. The maximum effect will occur around 2:40 p.m. and the eclipse will end around 4:05 p.m. The St. Mary’s County Health Department urges residents to avoid looking directly at the sun without a certified solar filter (such as eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer) at any point during this eclipse. Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage to your eyes.

Looking for more information on the solar eclipse and your eyes? The following information was retrieved from https://www.preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes (2017, August 18). Community members are also encouraged to visit: https://www.cdc.gov/features/solar-eclipse-safety/index.html.

What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the earth. The moon causes the light of the sun to be blocked from reaching earth, casting a shadow on earth. A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks the sun. The sun’s outer atmosphere (called the solar corona) glows around the moon when it is blocking the sun. A partial solar eclipse is when the moon only blocks part of the sun. Viewing a partial solar eclipse can expose your eye to the sun’s rays causing damage to the eye.

How can your eyes be affected by a solar eclipse?
Exposing your eyes to the sun without proper eye protection during a solar eclipse can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns, also known as solar retinopathy. This exposure to the light can cause damage or even destroy cells in the retina (the back of the eye) that transmit what you see to the brain. This damage can be temporary or permanent and occurs with no pain. It can take a few hours to a few days after viewing the solar eclipse to realize the damage that has occurred.

What symptoms can occur from looking at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection?

· Loss of central vision (solar retinopathy)

· Distorted vision

· Altered color vision

If you notice any symptoms after viewing a solar eclipse or if you have any changes in vision, seek treatment from an eye care professional.

Safe Watching
The only way to look directly at the sun when it’s not eclipsed or is only partly eclipsed is with a special solar filter, such as eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. Goggles, homemade filters, or sunglasses, even very dark ones, will not protect your eyes. Also, always avoid looking at the sun through an unfiltered camera, smartphone, telescope, or any other optical device. You’ll need to add a certified solar filter to these devices to safely look at the sun.

This post was revised on 8/21/17.

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