People could be blinded during the solar eclipse Monday if they don’t wear proper eye protection, the state Department of Health warned Friday.
“The solar eclipse is a spectacular event that rarely occurs, so it is only natural that people will want to view it,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker.
“But it can also damage your eyes, so we are urging people to use extreme caution and only look at a solar eclipse if you have eyewear with a special solar filter.”
The sun won’t be any brighter Monday than it is any other day. But people aren’t typically able to stare directly at it for extended periods of time because of the brightness. The eclipse makes it easier to look it, but the rays are still just as dangerous.
Staring at the sun even during an eclipse can damage retinas, the layer behind the eyeball, which could cause an inability to see colors or even permanent blindness, health officials said.
The total eclipse will last only a couple of minutes.
There is a 70-mile stretch from South Carolina through Oregon that will have the best views. New York is out of that zone, and residents will only be able to see a partial eclipse, but proper eyewear is still necessary, the Health Department said.
Health officials recommend a special solar filter — either eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer — to see the eclipse.
It said goggles, homemade filters and sunglasses don’t have the strength to stand against the sun.