Ophthalmologists agree about the solar eclipse

Everyone's excited over the upcoming solar eclipse, BUT there are really good reasons to be overly cautious when observing it, particularly when watching outside.

In USA Today, Michael Schecter, an Ohio optometrist issued his plea: "Please don't watch the solar eclipse outside, and if you do, do it perfectly."

Rochester Eye and Laser Center's Dr. Kenneth Lindahl agrees. "I totally support this warning. I would hate to have to tell one of my patient's who suddenly has blurry vision, that it might be irreversible due to them inadvertently watching the solar eclipse and burning a blind spot in their central vision."

It takes just seconds of exposure to a partial eclipse to do permanent damage to your eyes. You may not notice it for a couple of days, and not attribute it to watching the eclipse. Once the damage is done, it can take months or years to heal, if ever. 

If you fear you have done damage to your eye sight watching the eclipse, see your ophthalmologist right away.

Even when wearing eclipse glasses, you might be tempted to take a look without them during the eclipse. DO NOT BE TEMPTED! The old addage, better safe than sorry applies here. We are talking about permanent damage to your eye sight. Who wants to risk that!

If you do watch the eclipse outside make sure you follow this advise:

1. Make certain you wear SAFETY-CERTIFIED Solar Eclipse glasses and the glasses fit you well
2. Do not look through a telescope, camera, or binoculars without your solar glasses

The best way to avoid any damage is to watch the eclipse on TV. It may not seem as exciting, but it may save your eye sight. If you do watch the eclipse outside, please, please be careful!