DETROIT – The whole nation will be focused on the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, but before you turn your eyes to the sky, you’ll need protective eyewear.
Before and after the eclipse reaches totality, the outer atmosphere of the sun will produce enough light intensity to burn your eyes’ retinas and damage your vision. This can happen even if the eclipse isn't full. You need special eclipse glasses that will filter harmful rays.
But before you buy any online, beware of phony eclipse glasses.
Amazon is issuing refunds to customers who bought their eclipse-viewing glasses from manufacturers that didn’t comply with industry standards. Amazon also removed several listings for knockoff glasses on its website.
Here are some tips to know your eclipse glasses are the real deal:
Only 5 companies make them:
These are all American Astronomical Society and NASA certified.
Look for these markings:
You’ll know your glasses are real if they have the ISO stamp on it and the reference number: 12312-2.
Where to get glasses:
- Walmart
- 7-Eleven
- Best Buy
- Lowes
- ToysRUs
- Home Depot
You can also call your local library and eye care centers to see if they are stocking up on them as well. Most places are giving them away for free, or for a couple of dollars.
Test your glasses:
- Your eclipse glasses should be completely pitch black.
- Hold them up to a light bulb or the sun (before the eclipse).
- The only thing you should be able to see is the bulb or the sun.
- If you see anything around it (like the lamp shade or the clouds), your glasses are phony.
Other tips:
- Eclipse glasses are silver on the front of the lenses and black on the inside.
- If they’re scratched, throw them away.
- If the lenses are wrinkled, pitch them and get a new pair.
- Glasses three years or older aren’t going to as effective at keeping the harmful rays away.
The following are unsafe for viewing:
- Sunglasses
- Unfiltered telescopes
- Magnifiers
- Cameras