New Delhi: A massive shortage of certified protective glasses has occurred across Europe ahead of the rare total solar eclipse on Wednesday, as several citizens are searching for safety-compliant eyewear. According to AFP News Agency, pharmacies, opticians, and science centres have run out of certified protective glasses, leaving citizens scrambling and prompting health warnings over uncertified alternatives.
According to NASA, a rare cosmic alignment featuring a total solar eclipse—a six-planet parade, a new moon, and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower—will occur on 12 August. The eclipse will pass across parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and the Arctic, creating total darkness for observers in the direct path.
“I was just queuing at an ONCE stall and they’d just given the last one to a lady. She told me, ‘They’re all sold out now, sold out here.’ I also asked at the university opticians—sold out there too. I’ve been asking around since Friday. On Amazon, they won’t arrive on time. So, it’s impossible,” Mabel, a resident of Barcelona, Spain, told AFP News Agency.
Spain is one of the regions which will witness the path of totality—the narrow track where the Sun is 100 per cent blocked—turning day into sudden twilight.
“It’s ridiculous — so many people looking for glasses and whatnot. I’d rather watch it at home; it’s more comfortable,” Toni, another Barcelona resident, said.
In France, observers will see a deep partial solar eclipse—a 90 per cent to 98 per cent blockage of the sun depending on the region. There has been a shortage of certified protective glasses there too.
“We’ve had an enormous number of requests (for the glasses). We’re selling loads as well,” Aurelie Letavi, a pharmacy assistant in France, said. “We didn’t have any for three days. We got some (now), so we’ve received good stock for Wednesday evening. I think that should do the trick.”
Also read: 4 rare celestial events to coincide on 12 August. Solar eclipse, meteor shower & more
‘No known treatment’
The shortage of glasses in Europe has prompted eye specialists to warn people against buying uncertified alternatives. Looking directly at the sun without ISO-certified protection can cause permanent retinal damage and severe vision loss.
“It may cause solar retinopathy, or photochemical toxicity at the centre of the retina—and the resultant vision damage may be permanent,” Shruti Bhattacharya, a New Delhi-based ophthalmologist, told ThePrint. “There is no known treatment for it, except prevention.”
According to NASA, a person must always use certified eye protection when viewing the sun. The only exception is the brief window of totality during a total solar eclipse.
“Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury,” it states. “If you don’t have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an indirect viewing method. One way is to use a pinhole projector. With the Sun at your back, you can then safely view the projected image. Do NOT look at the Sun through the pinhole!”