Local Eye Doctor Urges Safety During Eclipse [audio]

A Butler County optometrist doesn’t want to dampen excitement surrounding today’s solar eclipse, but does suggest thinking twice before looking up.

Dr. Robert Wheatall said it’s not that the sun is brighter during an eclipse- the sun is always dangerously bright- but people don’t normally look up because it’s uncomfortable. But today, they might be more apt to do so in an attempt to catch something unique.

“It’s damaging to look at the sun directly,” Dr. Wheatall said. “The sun can actually burn a hole in the retina because of how intense it is.”

The American Astronomical Society has published a list of legit vendors from where you can get “solar eclipse glasses” that will block out dangerous rays, but Dr. Wheatall says he is erring on the side of caution.

“Personally, I still wouldn’t look up,” he said. “Most of my colleagues are saying ‘Just don’t look’…once damage is done, it’s done. You can’t un-cook the egg.”

We’ll see a partial solar eclipse in our area Monday, with the passing moon blocking out about 80 percent of the sun. The closest place to view a total solar eclipse from Butler is in the Nashville area.

Audio Story