Brits planning to watch Wednesday’s spectacular solar eclipse have been warned not to take a chance on fake or ‘knock-off’ eclipse glasses as demand soars and supplies sell out.
Experts are urging people to check carefully before buying solar eclipse glasses online, with counterfeiters and unscrupulous sellers accused of exploiting the last-minute rush.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday August 12, with more than 90 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon at its peak.
When is the eclipse?
The eclipse will reach maximum coverage at around 7.12pm in London, but experts have issued a stark warning about the dangers of looking directly at the Sun without proper protection.
Even a brief glance can damage the retina and potentially cause permanent sight problems.
And with many certified eclipse glasses already sold out online, shoppers who have left it until the last minute could be tempted by unfamiliar sellers, suspiciously cheap products or glasses making claims that cannot be verified.
Kyla Black, Boots Opticians Director of Optical Practice, said: “It isn’t worth taking the risk with your eyesight.”
She warned: “No. Even when most of the Sun is covered, it is never safe to look directly at it with the naked eye during a partial solar eclipse.
“Looking at the sun without the correct protection can damage the retina, which may lead to permanent vision loss.”
Which eclipse glasses are safe?
Anyone planning to look directly at the eclipse should use purpose-built solar eclipse glasses or viewers which meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
Ms Black said: “There are several safe ways to enjoy the eclipse such as wearing certified eclipse glasses that meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.
“Another option would be to watch the solar eclipse from the comfort of your own home on a livestream.”
She added that anyone using cameras, telescopes or binoculars must use specially designed solar filters.
“The same filters can also be used for the secret astronomers amongst us who own a telescope or simply a pair of binoculars,” she said.
Can you wear sunglasses during an eclipse?
No.
Experts have repeatedly warned that ordinary sunglasses, even extremely dark ones, do not provide enough protection.
Ms Black said: “Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide enough protection to safely view a solar eclipse.
“Only specially designed eclipse glasses or solar viewers should be used.”
Wearing two or more pairs of sunglasses is also not a safe alternative.
Ms Black said: “It’s a common myth that wearing multiple pairs of sunglasses can protect you from any harmful UV light – this is untrue and should be avoided at all costs as only purpose-built eclipse glasses can allow you to watch an eclipse.”
Check your eclipse glasses before using them
Parents have also been urged to be particularly careful if children are watching the eclipse.
Ms Black said: “You should never look directly at the sun without certified eye protection.
“As a result, parents should be particularly careful if they are going to let their children view the eclipse and ensure they supervise them closely.”
Anyone who has already bought eclipse glasses should inspect them carefully for signs of damage.
“If you’re purchasing specially made eclipse glasses, make sure to double check that they are undamaged before use as even a glimpse of damage could have an impact on your eyesight,” Ms Black warned.
Experts have also cautioned against homemade filters using household materials.
Ms Black said: “Although a fun idea for many may be to make DIY filters and pinhole projectors out of cereal boxes, this can also be dangerous.
“Objects such as smoked glass, colour film, floppy disks, X-ray film, and dark sunglasses are unable to block invisible infrared and ultraviolet rays, potentially leading to damage to your eyesight.”
She added: “Budding astronomers who will be looking through cameras, binoculars or telescopes at the eclipse must make sure they have approved solar filters attached.
“If you’re not sure your telescope does, then contact the maker of the product to ensure you know you’ll be safe.”
Fake eclipse glasses warning
The rush to buy eclipse glasses has also raised concerns about counterfeit and misleading products being sold online.
Tamzin Burch, Marketing Manager at Corsearch, said major events can create a perfect opportunity for counterfeiters.
“We see how counterfeiters exploit sudden spikes in consumer demand, and major events like a solar eclipse can create exactly that opportunity,” she said.
“Bad actors can move quickly, using online marketplaces and misleading claims to sell products that appear legitimate but may not meet required safety standards.”
She warned that when a product is designed to protect someone's health, fake versions can have serious consequences.
“Fake eclipse glasses could give consumers a dangerous sense of security when looking directly at the sun,” she said.
“Consumers should follow official safety guidance and purchase protective products from trusted, verifiable sources.”
Daniel Mohacek, CEO of review authenticity platform TruthEngine, said shoppers should not assume a product is safe simply because it has thousands of positive reviews.
“People searching online at the last minute may be presented with products that look legitimate, carry convincing claims and have glowing reviews, but that does not necessarily mean they are safe,” he said.
“When something is designed to protect your eyesight, consumers need to be particularly cautious.”
He added: “Don’t simply choose a pair because it has thousands of five-star reviews or because the product description says it is ‘certified’.
“Look carefully at who is actually selling it, whether the seller can be identified and whether the safety claims can be verified.”
Eclipse glasses prices soar
With demand surging and many online retailers already running low, shoppers could also face inflated prices.
Marty Bauer, ecommerce expert at Omnisend, said eclipse glasses could end up being sold for four or five times their normal price.
He said: “Eclipse glasses are a perfect example of a product most people would never normally think about buying, but which can suddenly become a must-have item almost overnight.”
He added that major online marketplaces were already struggling to meet demand, meaning some shoppers could be forced to look elsewhere.
“Brits must now turn to the high street to see if any retailers were able to stockpile enough ahead of Wednesday,” he said.
“We may even see them being sold for four or five times the price at local organised events.”
How to watch the eclipse safely
The safest option for anyone without certified eclipse glasses is to watch the eclipse indirectly, rather than looking directly at the Sun.
A livestream is one option, while astronomy societies may also host organised viewing events using specialist equipment.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has also suggested using a household colander to project the image of the eclipsed sun onto the ground, allowing people to see the changing shape without staring at the sun.
The key message from experts is simple: do not gamble with your eyesight for the sake of seeing the eclipse.
As Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director and IFA at Mather and Murray Financial, put it: “Saving £5 isn't worth gambling with your eyesight.”
Recommended reading
- DWP State Pension could top £20,500 by 2046 says new analysis
- HMRC to change mileage rates from September in update affecting millions of drivers
- HMRC issues Child Benefit warning as thousands of parents face losing payments
He added: “Make sure they're genuine, properly certified eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2, or use a safe indirect viewing method instead.”
With more than 90 per cent of the Sun set to be covered over parts of the UK, the August 12 eclipse is expected to be one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible from Britain in years.
But viewers are being urged to make safety their priority before looking up.
Share