What to know about the upcoming Solar Eclipse

A Solar Eclipse occurs when the moon is positioned between he earth and the sun and casts a shadow over Earth. In Ontario, the Solar Eclipse is expected to start at 2:04pm on Monday April 8th 2024 and should last for about 2.5 hours. Many parts of Ontario will experience a total Eclipse (the Sun is 100% blocked by the Moon) at about 3:20pm. Staring at the Eclipse can cause a condition called Solar Retinopathy, which is when Solar Radiatin damages the eyes and can lead to permanent blind spots or distortions in your vision. It is only safe to look directly at the Eclipse through specifically designed solar filters. REGULAR SUNGLASSES WILL NOT PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM A SOLAR ECLIPSE!

Your eyes and vision are precious! Regardless of what is happening in the sky, it is up to you to protect them!

Some symptons of eye damage caused from a Solar Eclipse are

Blurry Vision A blind spot in your central vision in one or both eyes Distortion in which a straight line looks bent or a door frame looks curvy Changes in the way you see colour, known as Dyschromatopsia Increased sensitivity to light Eye pain or grittiness

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, CONTACT YOUR OPTOMETRIST IMMEDIATELY

Please share this info with your friends and family and keep your eyes and vision safe during the Solar Eclipse!