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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Andrew Griffin,Josie Clarke and Anna Loren

Can I still buy solar eclipse glasses – and how can I check that they are certified?

  • Certified solar eclipse glasses have largely sold out ahead of today’s event, with remaining options having required hefty delivery fees for the product to arrive on time.
  • It comes as health experts have issued guidance on how to view the eclipse safely . According to Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, casting your vision “directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision”.
  • Meanwhile, members of the public have been warned against using ordinary sunglasses or eclipse glasses that do not carry the safety standards.
  • Kyla Black, Boots Opticians director of optical practice, said: “It’s a common myth that wearing multiple pairs of sunglasses can protect you from any harmful UV light – this is untrue and should be avoided at all costs as only purpose-built eclipse glasses can allow you to watch an eclipse.”
  • To check if your solar eclipse glasses are genuine, simply look for the safety certifications ‘ISO 12312-2' or ‘ISO 12312-2:2015’ somewhere on the product.

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