We spent another article talking about solar eclipse planning, but realized that there is a lot to talk about in regards to eye protection that can take its own article.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology provided some great tips:[1]

• Carefully look at your solar filter or eclipse glasses before using them. If you see any scratches or damage, do not use them.
• Always read and follow all directions that come with the solar filter or eclipse glasses. Help children to be sure they use handheld solar viewers and eclipse glasses correctly.
• Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter—do not remove it while looking at the sun.
• The only time that you can look at the sun without a solar viewer is during a total eclipse. When the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets dark, you can remove your solar filter to watch this unique experience. Then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear very slightly, immediately use your solar viewer again to watch the remaining partial phase of the eclipse.
• Never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes.
• Talk with an expert astronomer if you want to use a special solar filter with a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other optical device.

As mentioned above: Only look at total eclipses without a solar viewer when the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets dark, you can remove your solar filter to watch this unique experience. NEVER remove your solar filters during an annular eclipse!

Ways to get proper solar eye protection for your gear can include buying directly from the company that purchased the gear. Finding out proper protection is crucial, but once done, buy from a reputable source!

One way to figure out what times to view a total eclipse without glasses can be found using sites like TimeAndDate.com or NASA. Never play around, as this is permanent damage to ones eyes.

Sources

[1] = https://web.archive.org/web/20200717180547/https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/solar-eclipse-eye-safety