The coming solar eclipse that will focus the world’s attention on Western New York for one day has people asking a question that usually does not need to be asked:
Is it OK to look at the sun?
“There is no safe dose of ever looking at the sun,” said Dr. Andrew Reynolds, the clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at the Ross Eye Institute at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Even small amounts of direct exposure can lead to “absolutely permanent, long-term vision loss.”
But that doesn’t mean that when this region is in the path of totality for four minutes on the afternoon of April 8 that you need to bury your head in the sand. On the contrary, Reynolds said you absolutely should look up to witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
At all other times? Unless you have the special glasses that make looking at the sun safe – don’t.
Western New York will be in prime viewing territory for the total solar eclipse taking place April 8, and visitors are paying high – yes, even astronomical – prices for lodging in the area.
In an interview with The Buffalo News, Reynolds explained the do’s and don’ts of watching the eclipse, with a special emphasis on how the visually impaired can also…
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