SCOTT: Solar eclipse April 8; protect your eyes

By Editor | April 2, 2024 |

By BETH ZUMWALT

A total solar eclipse will grace the U.S. skies next Monday, April 8, the first since 2017. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon travels between the earth and the sun, casting a shadow on the earth’s surface. The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible over approximately 128 miles of Illinois. Totality enters Illinois as it crosses the Missouri state line southwest in Carbondale at 1:58 p.m. The eclipse will follow a diagonal line crossing over Fairfield and exit Illinois at Mount Carmel at 2:06 p.m.

Quincy Medical Group (QMG) Ophthalmologist Dr. Eric Sieck reminds everyone that while this is a sight to behold, prioritizing eye safety is crucial for a truly unforgettable experience.

Kevin Blankenship, superintendent of both districts in Scott County says neither of the schools in Bluffs or Winchester will be closed during the event. At least 70 school districts, mostly those in southern Illinois have announced they will be closed. A lunar eclipse that happened seven years caused the closing or early dismissal of several schools in the area, with schools citing liability concerns.

Dr. Sieck emphasizes the importance of proper eye protection during the eclipse, highlighting a startling statistic — 90 percent of solar retinopathy cases come from eclipse viewing.

“Looking directly at the sun, even for a brief moment, can cause permanent eye damage called solar retinopathy,” he warned. “This damage can lead to scarring, vision loss, and serious injury.”

In some areas of the country, people will experience “totality” when the sun is completely blocked.

In Quincy and the immediate surrounding areas, Dr. Sieck said there will be no safe time to view the eclipse without proper eyewear.

While some areas will experience ‘totality’ (complete sun blockage), Quincy and surrounding areas will have a near-total eclipse (almost 93 percent blockage). This can be deceiving, as the remaining 7 percent of the sun can still cause serious eye damage.”

“The region will get to a point when the eclipse looks like a diamond ring, where almost the entire sun will be covered, but there will be one little hot spot and people will be tempted to look at the diamond ring, but that’s when the worst potential injury could happen,” he explained.

Children are especially vulnerable to eye damage from the sun, so adults need to be conscientious in protecting children in their care.

“Their eye tissue is younger, the structures in their eyes are much clearer, there’s more transmission of the energy to back of the eye. People need to take care of their children first with appropriate eyewear before they put their own eyewear on,” he explained.

When watching a partial or annular solar eclipse directly, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) at all times. Eclipse glasses are not regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun.

According to Sieck, here’s what to look for: ISO Certification: Look for glasses with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard, ensuring they meet safety requirements.

Manufacturer Information: The manufacturer’s name and address should be printed on the product.

Expiry and Condition: Don’t use glasses older than three years or with scratched/wrinkled lenses.

No Substitutes: Homemade filters, regular sunglasses (even dark ones), and viewing through optical devices are not safe for direct sun observation.

Other tips include: If driving during the eclipse, ensure car headlights are on. don’t ever take photos, videos, or wear “eclipse glasses” while driving, don’t park along the shoulder of the road, highway, or interstate to watch the eclipse.

Also remember when taking pictures of an eclipse you will need to use a “solar filter” to keep from harming your camera’s imaging sensor as well as for correct exposure.