Department of Health advice on danger from Eclipse to Eyesight

In view of the major eclipse which will occur on Wednesday 11^th August 1999, starting at 11.24 a.m. and lasting till 2.17 p.m., the Department of Health would like to advise the public regarding the dangers of looking at the eclipse directly.

The fact that at the peak of the eclipse 60% of the sun's surface will be covered by the moon, affords greater tolerance when looking at the sun casually. However it must be stressed again that this is extremely dangerous to one's eyesight. People should avoid at all costs the temptation of "taking one quick glimpse".

The general public is advised that it is highly dangerous to one's eyesight to look at the sun directly, either with the naked eye or through an optical instrument such as a binoculars, telescopes or cameras. Direct viewing with binoculars, telescopes or a camera system will cause vision loss, leading to possible permanent blindness. Sunglasses do not offer any protection. Children are at greatest risk.

The only safe way to observe an eclipse is by using the indirect methods, whereby an inverted image of the sun is projected on a screen through a pin hole system. Various filters, such as welding goggles or aluminised Mylar filters of appropriate optical density give adequate protection.