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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Despite the nation&#8217;s fascination with The Great American Solar Eclipse, eye doctors and their staffs see a safety issue.</p><p>Today, the first eclipse to span the entire United States in nearly a century will occur. Tens of millions of Americans will lift their eyes skyward to view the eclipse, which will totally obscure the sun along a 70-mile-wide path beginning at mid-morning in Oregon and stretching to South Carolina by mid-afternoon.</p><p>People in Northeastern Pennsylvania will see a partial eclipse &#8212; about 75 percent &#8212; outside this line of totality, meaning anyone who wants to view the eclipse safely must wear protective eclipse glasses the entire time the moon glides in between the Earth and sun.</p><p>Mount Pleasant optometrist H. Arnold Papernick warns that looking at a solar eclipse is dangerous unless you watch it through solar viewers such as eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector. Eclipse glasses have lenses thousands of times darker than sunglasses. Viewing through a telescope or regular camera lens provides no protection.</p><p>Solar eclipses happen when the moon comes between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow that results in darkness except for the glow of the sun&#8217;s corona that circles the moon.</p><p>&#8220;Viewing the corona may burn the retina at the back of your eyes,&#8221; Papernick said in a news release. &#8220;You won&#8217;t notice damage immediately. But problems may show up in a few hours or days.&#8221;</p><p>Papernick noted that the retina transfers information to the brain about what viewers see. He warns that retinal damage leads to problems such as changes in color vision, distortions, and loss of central vision. He said people who view the eclipse incorrectly and experience vision problems should visit an eye doctor immediately.</p><p>But viewing the eclipse with the right glasses is the key to staying safe. According to NASA, four manufacturers have been certified to produce the glasses: Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical and TSE 17.</p><p>A spokesperson at Eye Care Specialists, based at 703 Rutter Ave. in Kingston, said the company has given away hundreds of special glasses and is working on getting more at its Kingston location for Monday.</p><p>People in Northeastern Pennsylvania will be able to see the eclipse from 1:18 p.m. until 3:57 p.m., with prime viewing at 2:41.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Cardboard frames for solar eclipse glasses are stacked in the American Paper Optics factory in Bartlett, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The company is one of many businesses _ hotels, campgrounds and stores _ taking advantage of the total solar eclipse _ when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The moon’s shadow will fall in a diagonal ribbon across the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_AP17207612985273-3.jpg</photo0><caption0>Cardboard frames for solar eclipse glasses are stacked in the American Paper Optics factory in Bartlett, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The company is one of many businesses _ hotels, campgrounds and stores _ taking advantage of the total solar eclipse _ when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The moon’s shadow will fall in a diagonal ribbon across the U.S., from Oregon to South Carolina. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz)</caption0><photoCredit0>AP Photo | Adrian Sainz </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_AP17207604718319-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A display holds solar eclipse glasses in the American Paper Optics factory in Bartlett, Tenn. Staring at the sun during an eclipse &#8212; or anytime &#8212; can cause eye damage. The only safe way to protect your eyes is with special filters in glasses or other devices. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_AP17207604718319-3.jpg</photo1><caption1>A display holds solar eclipse glasses in the American Paper Optics factory in Bartlett, Tenn. Staring at the sun during an eclipse &#8212; or anytime &#8212; can cause eye damage. The only safe way to protect your eyes is with special filters in glasses or other devices. </caption1><photoCredit1>AP Photo | Adrian Sainz </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta></subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Eye-care professionals stress safety when viewing eclipse today