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Eye doctors warn about taking precautions viewing the solar eclipse

By Liz Foster
By Liz Foster

Zaneeka Hill is looking forward to seeing a total solar eclipse later this month with her son Maliq.

When the moon passes between Earth and the sun Aug. 21, the day will briefly become night.

With everyone's eyes on the sky, and the sun, eye doctors are warning about permanent damage for those who don't take precautions.

[RELATED: Ways to view the eclipse in North Carolina]

"I had no idea,” Hill said. “I haven't seen one myself, so just to share that moment with him is going to be pretty awesome."

Dr. Boyd Vaziri, with Charlotte Opthamology, said people can damage their vision looking at the sun, even during a partial eclipse, for just a second or two.

[2017 Solar Eclipse]

"A lot of the damage does reverse, but much of it is permanent,” Vaziri said. “You could have a leftover blind spot, for example."

Vaziri said there is no treatment, so the best way to prevent it is to have special solar filter glasses that block harmful rays.

Vaziri said dark sunglasses or polarizing sunglasses won't cut it.

"It's going to be really important for parents to completely talk to their children about the dangers of looking at the sun before the eclipse is total and to wear these filters,” Vaziri said.

Hill said she will be getting the special glasses.

"I definitely want to share that moment, but I also want to share other moments without our eyes being damaged,” Hill said.

The North Carolina Attorney General issued this warning: “Some scammers are trying to make money off the need for the special solar eclipse glasses… by selling faulty eyewear to consumers who could suffer permanent damage as a result.”

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