A nationwide campaign has been launched to warn people about the dangers of the eclipse, with thousands of safety specs being handed out all over the United Kingdom, distributed by Essilor so many can watch the biggest solar eclipse in 16 years.
Make sure to watch the eclipse safely!
With millions of people expected to gravitate to viewing events all across the UK on Friday, March 20, the eclipse is to block out up to 90% of the sunlight across parts of the country between 8.25am and 10.45am, maximising in London at around 9.30am and varying slightly in different areas.
Those tempted to witness the phenomenon with the naked eye should be warned that damage can be caused to sight and even temporary or permanent blindness.
Independent optician David Shannon said: "Have you ever looked directly at the sun? Of course you have.
"No matter what our parents, teachers, and doctors say, the temptation is right in front of our eyes - and it's even more tempting to break that rule during the natural phenomenon of a solar eclipse.
"There are serious side effects - retinal burn, damage to eye cells, temporary or permanent blindness - if viewing a solar eclipse with the naked eye.
"Think about it. Through a simple magnifying glass, the sun can catch a piece of paper on fire from millions of miles away. It's safe to say that your eyes need some protection."
Newspaper readers can today pick up their free specs in their papers, after Essilor teamed with newspapers in England and Scotland to giveaway the huge amount of glasses.
David Shannon also has some top tips for those who want to "practise safe sun":
- Always resist the temptation to look directly at the sun without complete eye protection. Looking for just a few seconds could cause serious irreversible damage - this damage is often painless, so people don't realise what they're doing to their vision.
- If you are going to view it's vital to use specially designed eclipse safety glasses or a solar telescope to watch the solar eclipse.
- Or, use projection techniques. A safe and inexpensive method to view an eclipse is by projection, in which a small opening (such as a pinhole) is used to cast the image of the eclipse on a screen placed closely to the opening.
- Sunglasses are not safe, you will put your eye sight at risk by only wearing regular sunglasses or shades to directly view the sun.
- Make sure you look away from the direction of the sun before putting the solar eclipse safety glasses on or taking them off.
- Never try to improvise and make your own viewing shades.
- Remember that it's a partial eclipse so make sure you wear your viewing specs throughout because the bright disc of the sun will remain visible even at the moment of maximum coverage.
- Ensure that your viewing shades are not damaged and that no light is leaking in from the side.
- Parents should closely supervise children.
Expert advice is provided on protecting your eyes from UV rays all year round at www.essilor.co.uk, where you can also find your nearest independent optician.