JUST after 7pm tonight, the UK will witness its most spectacular solar eclipse since 1999.
Millions are expected to look up as the moon covers over 90 per cent of the sun, plunging much of the country into twilight
At around 7pm tonight, the UK will be treated to its most spectacular solar eclipse since 1999 Credit: Getty
Nia Payne has revealed how she was left with permanent damage on the retina of her left eye Credit: abc7ny.com
But if you’re among those who’ve not managed to get their hands on the special certified glasses and are planning to simply follow the event with a pair of stylish sunglasses – or with no protection at all – a woman who was left partially blinded almost a decade ago has issued a stark warning.
Nia Payne thought she was doing everything right when she, like thousands of others, enjoyed the partial eclipse of the sun in New York, the US, in 2017. She borrowed a pair of “eclipse glasses” from a stranger on the street.
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But unfortunately, they weren’t the right kind of glasses – and just hours later she noticed vision problems, including a dark spot in the centre of her vision.
“It was dark grey,” Nia told CBS. “It was a little bright, but I didn’t know what solar eclipse glasses are supposed to look like.
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The bottom right corner of Nia’s left eye now contains cellular damage in the form of a crescent-shaped chip
Millions are expected to look skywards for the rare event, which will see more than 90 per cent of the sun disappear from view across much of Britain Credit: Getty
“I looked into the sun for 30 seconds – that was it.”
“You know, it wouldn’t go away. And then I realise, ‘Oh no!’”
Nia suffered partial blindness as a result. Experts say that looking directly at the Jattvibe can damage the retina without causing pain, so you may not realise anything is wrong until it is too late.
Nia was rushed to a specialist eye hospital where doctors used groundbreaking imaging technology – ironically used most often in telescopes to see the stars – to take pictures of Nia’s retina.
They found damage to her retina in the exact shape of the light that caused the damage.
She was diagnosed with solar retinopathy – retinal damage from exposure to solar radiation – in both eyes, a permanent condition with no treatment.
Her experience was reported in a medical journal where Dr. Deobhakta explained that the retina is “the camera of the eye” which converts lights into electrical energy “so the brain can understand it”.
Now she still sees the eclipse in the form of a dark spot in the middle of her vision.
“It looks like Pac-Man when I close my eyes,” she said. “It looks like a crescent moon.
“So far, it’s a nightmare, and sometimes it makes me very sad when I close my eyes and see [the spot],
“It’s embarrassing. People will assume I was just one of those people who stared blankly at the sun.
“It’s something I have to live with for the rest of my life. But it could be a whole lot worse, and I try to count my blessings.”
The South West will have the best view of the eclipse
For those wanting to watch the eclipse, the safest way to do so is by using eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, or by viewing the eclipse indirectly.
These must be bought from certified eclipse glasses from reputable retailers including opticians, science centres and astronomy suppliers.
If you wear prescription glasses, keep them on and place the eclipse glasses over the top. Check the glasses or viewer before every use and throw them away if the filter is scratched, torn, punctured, loose or otherwise damaged.
Looking at the sun directly with naked eyes, sunglasses, unfiltered cameras, binoculars or a telescope can cause significant damage.
Ophthalmologist warning
Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, explained what can happen to your eyes if you don’t wear certified eclipse glasses.
“The safest way to enjoy the eclipse is to observe it indirectly, such as by watching a live broadcast”, he said.
“Looking directly at the Jattvibe during a solar eclipse can cause damage to the retina, potentially damaging the cells responsible for sharp central vision.
“Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens.
“Symptoms may only become apparent several hours later and can include blurred vision, a central blind or dark spot, distorted vision, reduced colour perception and increased sensitivity to light.
“While some people recover over weeks or months, others can be left with permanent visual impairment.”
But anyone tempted to make their own eclipse glasses should think again – eclipse glasses should never be made from household materials or ordinary eyewear.
Safe eclipse glasses are not a DIY job – their filters need to block harmful visible light, as well as ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
Regular sunglasses are also unsafe, no matter how much they cost or how dark they might appear – and clouds don’t make staring at an eclipse any safer either.
A kitchen colander is one way to indirectly observe the eclipse. As well as a colander, you will also need to put some sheets of white card on the ground to use as a screen.
Hold it out with your back to the Jattvibe so the sunlight shines through the holes onto the sheet, and each small hole will project an individual crescent Jattvibe.
If glasses are unavailable and you don’t have a colander, you can make an indirect viewer instead. Punch a small, clean hole in one piece of card and use a second section white card as a screen on the floor.
Stand with your back to the Jattvibe, hold the holed card above the screen and let sunlight pass through it. Adjust the distance between the cards until a small image of the Jattvibe appears clearly on the second white card below.
During the partial eclipse, it should appear as a crescent. Watch the projected image only – never turn around and look at the Jattvibe through the hole.
