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On April 8, North America will experience a total solar eclipse, stretching across parts of Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, with approximately 31.6 million people living in the path of totality. According to NASA, every contiguous state in the U.S., along with parts of Alaska and Hawaii, will witness at least a partial solar eclipse.
With all eyes toward the sky during an eclipse, Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, says it's important to protect your eyes and your skin from ultraviolet (UV) light damage. You'll need eye protection with special-purpose solar filters for viewing, and you should take precautions to safeguard your skin from the sun's rays during long periods outside.
And when it comes to protection, she says sunscreen is for the skin only – never for the eye itself.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:02) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.
A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely blocks the sun, temporarily darkening the sky. Looking directly at the sun can cause damage to the retina due to the strong amount of UV light.
"If you would like to see the solar eclipse, you will need to have special solar eclipse glasses," says Dr. Davis.
While it's crucial to protect your eyes with ISO-approved solar eclipse glasses, Dr. Davis cautions people never to put sunscreen directly on their eyes.
"You cannot put sunscreen on your eyeballs, sunscreen is only for the skin," she says.
Lotion applied to the eyes can cause chemical irritation and possibly damage.
"While we're spending time making sure that we protect our eyes during the solar eclipse, which is extremely important, it's important to remember that your skin is also vulnerable to the UV light," says Dr. Davis.
Along with the proper eyewear, consider wearing a broad-brimmed hat and using sunscreen with SPF 50. "I would reapply every two hours at minimum. And if you happen to sweat or get wet, I would reapply immediately," Dr. Davis says.
Tips for safely viewing the total solar eclipse
Along with wearing special glasses, there are additional ways to stay safe during a solar eclipse.
- Wear sunscreen with a high SPF and broad-spectrum protection. Reapply it every two hours, or more often if you sweat or get wet.
- Wear a hat that covers your head, face, ears and neck. A wide-brimmed hat is ideal, as it can also shield your eyes from the sun.
- Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs. Choose light-colored, loose-fitting and breathable fabrics that can keep you cool and comfortable.
- Seek shade whenever possible, especially during the peak hours of the sun’s intensity (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke
View the path of the total solar eclipse courtesy: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
Visit the American Astronomical Society for a listing of reputable vendors of approved safety eclipse glasses.
Learn about pinhole and optical projection for alternative safe viewing options.
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