We asked ophthalmologist Matthew Gorski of Northwell Health for help checking out the 2017 solar eclipse that’s happening on Monday, Aug. 21, in the U.S.
Scroll down to see what he had to say.
If you haven’t already heard, a rare total eclipse will be occurring across several states, along what NASA shows as a narrow strip that stretches from Oregon to South Carolina.
According to timeanddate.com, the solar eclipse on Long Island will begin at 1:23 p.m. on Aug. 21 with maximum eclipse at 2:44 p.m. The grand show wraps up at 4 p.m.
Click here and enter your zip code to see how the eclipse will appear in your town from TIME.
Safety tips from rom Dr. Gorski:
• Never look directly at the sun during the eclipse. The only way to safely look directly at the sun is with a special type of solar filters, or so-called “eclipse glasses” that meet the international standard known as ISO 12312-2. (Click here to order online.)
Always check to make sure the special glasses are not scratched or damaged
• Looking directly into the sun, even for a few seconds can cause permanent damage to the retina known as solar retinopathy. There is no treatment for this condition. Symptoms of retinopathy commonly present within hours, but may be delayed for days to weeks and include blurry vision, blind spots or distorted vision in one, or more commonly both, eyes.
• You cannot use regular sunglasses — even darkly tinted ones — or your cell phone to look at the sun. Do not look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.
• Wearing contact lenses or having had previous LASIK or cataract surgery, or any laser eye surgery, does not protect you from the damage that can be caused by staring at the sun
• Carefully supervise children during the eclipse to make sure they are properly using the solar filtered glasses.
Please go to your eye doctor for any changes in vision or visual disturbances after observing the eclipse.
From Newsday: Apps to help keep track of the solar eclipse
Photo: James Douglas
