In a few short days, record numbers of people will go outside to watch the total solar eclipse happening this Monday, August 21st. Anyone within the path of totality will see it. This is also known as the moment when the moon completely blocks the sun. However, it is crucial for individuals to take care of their eyes.

Baptist Health International, one of the most important medical institutions in South Florida, wants everyone to experience the eclipse in a safe and enjoyable way. It is never recommended to look directly at the sun without any type of protection, especially during a solar eclipse. This is a rare event, but protecting your eyes from the sun should be a daily occurrence, says Keith Skolnick, M.D., an ophthalmologist with the Baptist Eye Surgery Center in Florida. There are many tips on how to watch it and preventive information on taking of your eyes during and after the eclipse. If you want to learn more, please see attached the byline article SOLAR ECLIPSE: PROTECTING YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN (ALWAYS) and infographic by Baptist Health International.

We hope you get to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event!

SOLAR ECLIPSE: PROTECTING YOUR EYES FROM THE SUN (ALWAYS)
Never look at the sun directly, your mom may have told you more than once. And she was right. This is also true during the long-anticipated total or partial solar eclipse that will take place Monday, Aug. 21
Anyone within the “path of totality” will see a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely block the sun. Many individuals should experience a partial solar eclipse — that’s about a 75 percent effect. The last contiguous eclipse, meaning that it was visible across the United States, was Feb. 26, 1979. After Aug. 21, this type of event won’t happen again until Oct. 14, 2023, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

In some place, like South Florida, the partial solar eclipse will begin at about 1:30 p.m. and end about three hours later. NASA stresses that it’s “never safe to look directly at the sun’s rays – even if the sun is partly obscured.” NASA recommends the use of solar filter eclipse glasses or pin-hole projectors if you wish to watch the partial eclipse. Amazon said Sunday that it contacted and issued refunds to some customers who purchased eclipse glasses on Amazon that “may not comply with industry standards.”
The American Astronomical Society offers a list of reputable vendors of solar filters and viewers.
An eclipse is a rare event, but protecting your eyes from the sun should be a daily occurrence, says Keith Skolnick, M.D., an ophthalmologist with the Baptist Eye Surgery Center in Florida.

Solar retinopathy refers to eye damage which has been caused by looking directly at the sun, at any time or during an eclipse. The retina is made up of delicate tissue that is sensitive to light. Harmful radiation from the sun can reach the eye and damage the retina. This burns the retina and destroys the cells that enable you to see. The retina’s cells are sensitive to light, which helps form visual images via the optic nerve.

“With the eclipse, if you look directly at the sun that can lead to permanent damage of the macular, the center and most important part of the retina,” explains Dr. Skolnick. “It’s basically a sunburn of the macula.

You should always protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is also a major risk for skin cancers. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays, which is why ophthalmologists urge all patients to wear sunglasses with UV protection when outside.
Sunlight reflected off sand and water can cause photokeratitis, the condition responsible for snow blindness, so beach- and pool-goers should exercise caution by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
“I tell my patients that the color of sunglasses doesn’t matter, nor does how dark the lense is,” says Dr. Skolnick. “The important thing is for your glasses to have UV radiation protection. And cost shouldn’t be a factor. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for glasses that protect your eyes.”

Solar Retinopathy Symptoms
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, symptoms commonly present within hours of exposure include:
Blurry vision
A blind spot in your central vision (one or both eyes)
Difficulty in seeing shape and detail of objects
Watery and sore eyes
Seeing distorted shapes or unusual colors
Discomfort with bright lights

About Baptist Health South Florida
With more than 1.4 million patients visits every year, we receive rave reviews from the people we serve. In fact, patients and their families from around the world travel to Miami for our medical expertise. We are proud of our team: approximately 16,000 employees and more than 2,400 physicians in virtually all specialties — many with national and international reputations. All of this and more makes us South Florida’s world-class healthcare organization. Our People Make the Difference Our success comes from a culture of quality and dedication that is instilled into every member of the Baptist Health family. It is because of their generosity, compassion and commitment to clinical and service excellence that we have a reputation for quality.

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NOTE: Eclipses in George Town, Cayman Islands

21 Aug 2017, 14:07
Max View in George Town
Global Event: Total Solar Eclipse

Local Type: Partial Solar Eclipse, in George Town
Begins: Mon, 21 Aug 2017, 12:38
Maximum: Mon, 21 Aug 2017, 14:07 0.64 Magnitude
Ends: Mon, 21 Aug 2017, 15:26
Duration: 2 hours, 47 minutes

SOURCE: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/uk/georgetown