Partial solar eclipse expected Wednesday – ophthalmologist warns on safe viewing

A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Latvia on Wednesday, August 12, and specialists are urging residents to take precautions while observing it.

Ophthalmologist Anda Balgalve told LSM.lv that looking directly at the sun is never safe, regardless of how much of it is obscured during the eclipse. She noted it is especially dangerous to do so using optical devices such as binoculars or a telescope, since concentrated sunlight can cause irreversible damage to the central part of the eye.

Home-made methods are not reliable

The doctor also cautioned against relying on traditional but unsafe methods some people use to watch eclipses, such as soot-covered glass. Such improvised protective tools do not provide adequate protection from solar radiation and can create a false sense of safety, increasing the risk to the eyes.

To observe the eclipse safely, specialists recommend using certified protective equipment designed specifically for this purpose rather than improvised solutions.