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RIVERTON — Scientists and doctors are reminding eclipse chasers there is no safe time to look directly at the sun this Saturday, during the annular eclipse.
Dr. Jarrod Davies works with people's eyes every day, at the Utah Vision Development Center in Riverton.
"This is the optic nerve where the eye connects to the brain," he said, pointing to a closeup view of an eyeball on his computer screen. "This darker area here is your macular or your central vision."
As much as he loves helping people with their vision, he is worried some people might not prioritize their own vision during the annular eclipse that will visible in Utah Saturday.
"When you're looking at the sun, this is the spot that the sun is projecting on," he said, pointing to the optic nerve. He knows a lot of people will want to see the eclipse. However, he said, never look at the sun directly, with your own eyes.
"A few seconds (can lead to) temporary damage. Longer than a few seconds, you can have permanent damage," he said.
When the last eclipse was visible in Utah in 2017, Davies said some of his patients suffered eye damage looking at the sun directly.
That is why his office is offering eclipse glasses for purchase. He sent an email to his patients saying they were available.
Many have been coming to the office to take him up on the deal.
"Obviously, we don't make any money on it. We are selling the glasses for $1 each, at my cost, but we're really doing it for patient safety," he said.
The eclipse glasses he has are made by American Paper Optics. The company, based in Tennessee, is one of the largest, if not the largest eclipse glasses makers in the country.
"I would suspect we are going to be approaching 400 million eclipse glasses we have made since we started," said John Jerit, president and CEO of American Paper Optics.
That is a lot of eclipse glasses, Jerit also knows there are a lot of knockoffs out there.
That is why he says it is important to make sure your glasses are made in the USA and have an ISO rating on them.
That ISO seal and logo means they have been tested under an international standardized certification.
"ISO certification means we sent it to a lab — it means that our glasses are safe for direct viewing of the sun when properly used and when you follow instructions," Jerit said.
Instructions should also be printed on the eclipse glasses.
Of course, Jerit also knows companies making knockoff eclipse glasses could also fake certification seals and print them on the glasses.
"Reputable companies will actually list labs on there, as well as the manufacturer, which gives you traceability," Jerit said. "There are some glasses coming from overseas that may be safe."
Jerit says some of the larger companies that sell his eclipse glasses include Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's and 7-Eleven.
You can also buy from his company directly.
More than anything, though, Davies says viewing an eclipse is supposed to be fun. As long as it's safe.
"It is a unique event, so it's something you don't want to miss," Davies said. "But you also don't want to hurt yourself watching it."
