Grey Bruce Public Health is urging residents to resist the temptation to look directly at the sun during the upcoming solar eclipse.
On April 8, 2024, parts of southern and eastern Ontario will experience a total solar eclipse for the first time since 1925.
The eclipse is expected to begin at about 2 p.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m. Grey Bruce is not in the path of totality, but will experience a partial eclipse, which will peak around 3:20 p.m.
Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra stressed it is never safe to stare directly at the sun even during a solar eclipse.
"This celestial event happens once in a lifetime and many people find joy in it. There are people who chase eclipses; Umbraphiles is the term the technical term. They spent time and energy and money to actually experience this and this is happening in our area and as I mentioned once in a lifetime," said Arra. "The most important part, if I want to say something, is not to look directly at the sun without the proper eye protection during the eclipse."
Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse is dangerous, according to the Ontario Association of Optometrists. Damage to the eyes can occur without any sensation of pain.
"There is potential for vision damage retinal burn blurred vision temporary or permanent loss of the visual visual function and this loss can be again permanent and it's very heavy price to pay for something that can be prevented, easily," explained Arra.
Arra revealed that anyone experiencing temporary vision loss or blurred vision during or after the eclipse should speak with their eye care professional or healthcare provider as soon as possible. Anyone experiencing blindness after viewing the eclipse must seek emergency care immediately.
He emphasized people should use ISO certified eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. Ensure these glasses are in good condition, without any wrinkles or scratches, and that they fully cover the entire field of vision.
"You shouldn't be able to see anything but bright lights similar to the sun, nothing else," he added. "And there are obviously alternative ways to look at the solar eclipse that are safe. One of them just ensure they have good quality glasses and when using them a person should put them on their face before looking at the sun and look away from the sun before removing."
He added that normal sunglasses or homemade filters are not appropriate.
"A common mistake that people think a good pair of quality sunglasses can stand for viewing the eclipse safely. But it's not," stressed Arra. "The filters that are used in eclipse sunglasses are very dark, so if a person puts them on their eyes they cannot see colors. If you can look through your sunglasses and see colors. It's not safe for viewing the solar eclipse. "
Arra is making a pinhole projector box with his daughter, so they can safely view the April 8th eclipse.
"We open the box and use tape to cover one of the inner sides of the box with white paper. That's all it takes inside the box. Just put a white paper on one side and on the opposite side, we can put two holes one of them is one inch by one inch. The second one is two by two inches....with about three to four inches in between." he outlined. "The first small one is the sun hole. You can cover it with aluminum foil and in the middle of that we can put just a little hole with a tiny pin. And (the hole beside it), the two inch by two inch, is the window that we look through into the box. Then we tape the whole box tight and if this project is to be done with children there is an option there to decorate."
He pointed out that people should keep a close eye on children and other vulnerable family members during the eclipse to ensure they do not inadvertently look up at the sun without proper eye protection.
It is not safe to view the eclipse through a camera/phone lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. You can safely experience the solar eclipse by watching a livestream of the event.