How to see the eclipse without damaging eyes
McKeown, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. “Only children who are old enough to follow instructions and keep their solar-eclipse glasses on should be allowed to watch the eclipse under adult supervision,” says Craig A.
The only way you can safely look directly at the sun is to wear special-purpose solar equipped glasses or hand-held viewers fitted with special solar filters. Flynn, Jr., M.D., an ophthalmologist at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, where residents will see a nearly 80 percent eclipse. It may even cause vision loss, called solar retinopathy,” says Harry W. Your retina is very light-sensitive, so staring at the sun for even a short period without wearing the proper eye protection can leave a burn on your retina. In fact, the natural lenses in your eyes are much stronger than a magnifying glass. Looking directly at the sun without protecting your eyes has a similar effect on your retina. “As children, we used a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s light in order to burn holes in leaves or paper.
The first complete eclipse to span the United States in 99 years happens on Monday, August 21. Eye Safety Tips for Children and Adults from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute