Are Solar Eclipse Glasses a Scam? Experts Share What You Need to Know

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• A solar eclipse will be visible in the U.S. on Monday, April 8.

• Staring directly at the sun can cause blindness, which is why solar eclipse glasses are important for watching the eclipse.

• Eclipse glasses must meet specific requirements.

Few astronomical events build up buzz like a solar eclipse. While these happen several times a year, your ability to safely witness the phenomenon depends on your location—and solar eclipse glasses.

A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, and the next one occurs on Monday, April 8. It will be visible to everyone with clear skies in the contiguous U.S. starting at 11:07 a.m. PT on the western coast of Mexico, entering the U.S. in Texas and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, according to NASA. Many people in these states will see a total eclipse, which is when the moon completely blocks the sun.

If you’re interested in watching the event, experts say special solar glasses are a must. But be wary of eclipse glasses scams. Staring at the sun without the right eye protection, even for a short time, can damage the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball called the retina, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). It can also cause a special type of blindness called solar retinopathy. “The sun basically burns the cells of your retina when you look directly at it,” says Bavand Youssefzadeh, D.O., an ophthalmologist at Global Lasik and Cateract Institute in Huntington Beach, CA. “It’s like getting a sunburn on the back part of your eye that processes images.”

Meet the experts: Bavand Youssefzadeh, D.O., an ophthalmologist at Global Lasik and Cataract Institute in Huntington Beach, CA; Richard Tresch Fienberg, Ph.D., project manager at American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force and co-author of Astronomy for Dummies; Aaron Zimmerman, O.D., a clinical professor at Ohio State University’s College of Optometry

Because staring at the sun can lead to permanent eye damage, experts say it’s important to start planning now if you want to check out the eclipse. Here’s what you need to know about eclipse-watching, as well as how to find legitimate glasses.

Do solar eclipse glasses really work?

Yes, solar eclipse glasses really work. The AAO specifically notes that the only way to look directly at the sun is through special solar filters that are used in eclipse glasses.

The glasses need to meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2, the AAO notes. You can safely watch an eclipse if you’re wearing glasses that meet these standards, says Richard Tresch Fienberg, Ph.D., project manager at American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force and co-author of Astronomy for Dummies.

What glasses are best for watching a solar eclipse?

The AAO stresses that ordinary sunglasses—even ones that are very dark—or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun. Safe eclipse glasses meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for filters for direct observation of the sun, Fienberg says.

“The only way to know if viewers comply with the standard is to have them tested by a lab that has been accredited to do so by a recognized accrediting body,” Fienberg says. Companies that sell legitimate eclipse glasses will do this and then earn the right to state the certification—which should be printed on the glasses themselves.

“These glasses are mass-produced, so you want to make sure when you get these, you check for imperfections,” Youssefzadeh says. “There should be no little holes.”

Solar Eclipse Glasses

Snap up a pair of solar eclipse glasses for you and a friend with this set from Soluna. The glasses filter out 100% of UV and infrared light, and only allow in 99.999% of visible light.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

This three-pack of glasses has a sturdy plastic frame and traditional sunglasses look. They meet ISO 12312-2 international standards and are designed for kids aged six and up.

Solar Eclipse Glasses

Stock up for your solar eclipse viewing party with this 10-pack from Medical King. The sunglasses meet ISO standards and have scratch-resistant lenses for clear viewing. The set comes with a solar eclipse viewing guide, too.

How to spot fake solar eclipse glasses

There are already some fake products floating around online, making it important to do your homework before investing in a pair. Fake solar eclipse glasses may use vague language around accreditation. But if they don’t clearly state on the glasses that they have International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certification, it’s best to skip.

The American Astronomical Society has a breakdown of safe solar eclipse glasses. It’s a good idea to double-check a pair you’re considering there before purchasing, just to be safe.

Can you reuse solar eclipse glasses?

If you have solar eclipse glasses hanging out from the last time you checked out the sky, you may be OK to reuse them, says Aaron Zimmerman, O.D., a clinical professor at Ohio State University's College of Optometry. “Your eclipse glasses can still be effective as long as the lenses are not torn or punctured, and have not been exposed to a significant amount of light over the last few years,” he says. Youssefzadeh agrees. “Most people buy new ones, just to be safe,” he says.

Where to get solar eclipse glasses for free

Some local libraries plan on handing out solar eclipse glasses, but this may not be the case everywhere in the U.S. Warby Parker has noted that their locations will provide free glasses starting April 1. If you’re not near a store, the company provided a template on their website for creating your own pinhole projector.

If you’re unable to procure new glasses or are unsure about reusing ones from eclipses past, it may be best to buy a new pair.

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