As area residents get ready for the much-anticipated total solar eclipse on Monday, the Middlesex London Health Unit has come out with a list of tips to prevent eye damage.
The solar eclipse is expected to take over the sky between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. as the moon passes between the Earth and sun, casting a shadow on the planet's surface. While the sky will be darkened during the height of the celestial event, giving in to the temptation to look directly at it could have serious consequences, the health unit warned.
"Looking at even a small sliver before or after the eclipse without appropriate solar eclipse eye protection can be harmful to your eyesight," the health unit said. "Eye damage may not be noticed immediately, symptoms can take 12 to 48 hours to appear.
Symptoms of eye damage could include eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and temporary or permanent vision loss. Anyone who experiences these symptoms or any other eye-related issues during or after the solar eclipse should contact an optometrist or healthcare provider.
To avoid any possible eye damage, the health unit is advising people not to look directly at the eclipse. Instead, indirect viewing methods can be used, including watching through a pinhole projector or online through the NASA/Exploratorium livestream. Regular sunglasses do not offer protection from the harmful light. Skygazers can use a solar eclipse viewer that meets international standard ISO 12312-2, although if not already obtained these could be hard to find.
The health unit also noted that cameras, phones, telescopes, and binoculars do not offer adequate eye protection.
The Thames Valley and London District Catholic school board shifted the April professional activity (PA) day from April 19 to the 8 in order to ensure students aren't making their way home during the peak of the eclipse - expected around 3:17 p.m.
"Keep a close eye on children as their eyes are more sensitive than adults, and they may not understand the risks of looking at the eclipse," the health unit said.
The London Public Library is offering livestream viewing on the big screen at Central Library starting at 1 p.m.
Drivers are also being told to use extra caution behind the wheel as the eclipse can create nighttime-like conditions. Vehicle exterior lighting systems should be switched on during the astronomical phenomenon.
A solar eclipse of this magnitude has not happened in Canada since February 1979.