Residents urged not to look directly at sun during eclipse
For more than four minutes on Monday, April 8, the moon will wedge itself between the Earth and the sun, obscuring the view of the sun from a small part of the Earth.
And while the celestial phenomena is sure to capture the attention of those in the path of “totality” and those near its path — as in Butler County — the chief medical officer at Independence Health System is urging spectators to exercise caution.
Staring directly into the sun can lead to serious health risks, including permanent damage as well as blurred and altered vision, Dr. Michael Fiorina said.
One of the most important things to remember, Fiorina cautioned, is to make sure those who plan to observe the astronomical occurrence exercise common sense.
“In general, staring directly at the sun, even for a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to your eyes,” he said. “It could range from blurry to distorted vision to something more serious, like permanent blind spots.”
Humans naturally squint due to the sun’s brightness. However, during an eclipse as the moon blocks the sun, the glare is not nearly as powerful. This allows the human eye to be able to handle looking directly at the sun.
“Because there are no pain receptors in your retina, you won’t feel it’s happening,” Fiorina said. “You’re not having any discomfort, but the damage is done.”
He compared looking into the sun as “akin to having a laser being pointed at our eyes.”
“Because of the eclipse, you’re going to be able look toward the sun for longer periods of time,” Fiorina said. “(But while) you are not going to feel discomfort, if you (stare at the sun), you risk damaging your vision.”
For those die-hard fans of selenology, there are safe ways to observe the astrological event, according to Fiorina.
“If you want to observe this solar eclipse, there are ways to mitigate the danger,” he said. “You can purchase ISO-certified eclipse glasses that will help filter dangerous rays that can damage the retina.”
Fiorina also said there are special solar filters that can be placed on cameras, binoculars and telescopes to help minimize damage.
