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How to know if solar eclipse glasses are safe
FOX 4 consumer reporter Steve Noviello is on your side with the best way to make sure your eclipse viewing glasses are the real deal.
DALLAS - April’s total eclipse of the sun will last just less than four minutes and 30 seconds. But eye damage from improper viewing could last a lifetime.
"You certainly don’t want to be in a situation where you’re looking at the eclipse with no eye protection," said Dr. Thomas Naiman from Uptown Vision.
MORE: 2024 Eclipse
Dr. Naiman said while the sun is no brighter or more intense during the eclipse, people will be prone to look at it more.
"It gives you a false sense of okay. ‘I’m looking at the sun but it’s okay because it’s blocked, so it’s not that big of a deal,’" he said.
In reality, it’s a very big deal for which you need very specialized eye protection. Your sunglasses won’t cut it because they only filter light.
Properly rated eclipse glasses are essential eyewear.
2024 Eclipse: When will the solar eclipse happen near me?
North Texas is lucky enough to be in the path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Here is when you can expect to see day turn to night.
"They will block out a lot of the UV rays because the UV rays are the ones that do damage by going straight to the back of the eye and burn through the fabia causing long-lasting effects," Dr. Naiman said.
The tissue those UV rays will damage atrophies and does not heal.
"Absolutely, there is a chance it’s gonna be life long," the eye doctor said.
It’s why eclipse enthusiasts have been pouring into stores like Jackson’s Home and Garden in Dallas where the prep work to procure eye protection started after selling out during last year’s annular eclipse.
"Like hot cakes. We’re selling about 20 a day," said Kirk French with Jackson’s Home and Garden. "I placed an order for another 100 in December, and it took until late February to get them in. I might be able to get in one more order, but I’m not sure."
From a pair made from cardboard for a couple of bucks to a more permanent plastic pair, each set has one essential element.
A certification stamp with "ISO 12312-2" on the glasses ensures they are properly rated.
Without it, you might see Dr. Naiman after you see the eclipse.
People who wear prescription glasses should wear their eclipse glasses closest to their face with their prescription lenses over them, he added.
2024 Solar Eclipse Path and Times
Projected path and time of totality for the 2024 total solar eclipse over Texas. ( )
The eclipse will happen in North Texas during the afternoon of April 8.
In Downtown Dallas, the partial eclipse will begin at 12:23 p.m. central time.
The moon will completely cover the sun starting at 1:40 p.m., which is called totality.
READ MORE: When will the solar eclipse happen near me?
The total eclipse will end at 1:44 p.m. in Downtown Dallas, for a total of 3 minutes and 51 seconds.
The partial eclipse will last until 3:02 p.m.