Submitted by Indy Eye Physicians
Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to visualize a spectacular astronomical event on Monday, April 8 when Hamilton County will be able to view a total solar eclipse beginning at 3:06 p.m. and lasting around three minutes based on your location in the county.
The only time it is safe to look directly at the sun without special filters is during the very brief time of a total eclipse. Indy Eye Physicians recommends not risking permanent vision by attempting to view the eclipse without protection.
If you do want to look directly at the eclipse, you will need special filtered spectacles meeting the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. There are a very LIMITED number of spectacles for sale at one of Indy Eye Physicians’ optical shops. A list of vendors can be found online at the American Astronomical Society’s webpage at eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters.
Check the filters to make sure there are no scratches or defects. Read the instructions carefully. Put the spectacles on BEFORE looking up to the sun and only remove them AFTER looking away.
Staring directly at the sun, even if only briefly, can lead to permanent damage to your retina causing decreased vision or possible permanent blindness, known as solar retinopathy or solar maculopathy. Some laser pointers can cause similar damage.
Please do NOT be mistaken. You should NOT view the eclipse, nor ever look directly at the sun, through sunglasses. Eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2 standards are very different than sunglasses. Also, if you want to take pictures of the eclipse, you will need to place special filters over your camera lens to prevent damage to your device.
For more information about your eye safety during the solar eclipse, please refer to aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/solar-eclipse-eye-safety.