Livestream is the safest way to view the April 8 solar eclipse, but health officials say other options are available.
news release
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Department
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A rare total solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024, from approximately 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. Although the sky may darken and bright stars and planets may appear, looking at the sun without eye protection during an eclipse, even briefly, can cause retinal burns, blurred vision, and impaired vision. It can cause serious and permanent damage to your vision, including loss of vision. visual acuity. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Board recommends taking precautions to protect your vision during this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event.
The safest way to observe the eclipse is through a virtual channel, such as a live stream. You can also view the eclipse safely by using safety goggles certified to the international standard ISO 12312-2, which have special filters to view all phases of the eclipse. Make sure the lenses are free of wrinkles, scratches, or other damage, and that the glasses fully cover your field of vision. Keep your eyes away from the sun before you put on your glasses and after you take them off. It is not safe to view the eclipse through regular sunglasses, camera/mobile phone lenses, telescopes, binoculars, or other optical equipment. If you don't have special glasses designed for eclipse viewing, there are other ways to view the eclipse, such as an eclipse projector. You can easily learn how.
Children's eyes allow more light into their retinas than adult eyes, so looking at the sun without proper eye protection increases the risk of harm. Help and supervise your child to use safety glasses correctly. If full supervision with eye protection is not possible to ensure a safe viewing experience, consider alternative viewing strategies, such as watching on a live stream. As an additional precaution, you may choose to keep children, or anyone else who does not fully understand the risks involved, indoors with the windows closed.
Eye damage may not show up right away because our retinas don't have sensors to detect pain. It may take him 12 to 48 hours before symptoms appear. If you begin to experience temporary vision loss, blurred vision, or blindness during or after an event, please consult an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or health care provider, as soon as possible. If you experience blindness (immediate or delayed) after viewing a solar eclipse, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
If you are traveling or driving during the eclipse, avoid viewing the eclipse from your car to protect your eyes and avoid collisions. Plan for traffic jams and if you're on the highway, we recommend that you don't stop, take photos, or get out of your car to view the eclipse.
For more information, visit smdhu.org or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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