The weekend leading up to the eclipse will be busy and full of different events, concerts and performances of various types, but don’t take the advice of ZZ Top — avoid a pair of cheap sunglasses.
According to local optometrist Dr. Tyler Tinsley, it is absolutely necessary to wear properly rated protective glasses when watching the eclipse. Tinsley advises wearing solar eclipse glasses that are manufactured with the ISO standard 12312-2.
Fortunately, the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce is offering such sunglasses, as well as a certified filter to protect cell phone lenses.
“Of course, we know that when a big deal like the eclipse comes around, people are going to try to capitalize on it and sell counterfeit products,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Halter explained. “There really isn’t a whole lot that can be done to stop people from making and selling counterfeit products.”
According to Tinsley, looking directly at the sun can cause solar retinopathy.
“Solar retinopathy (is) a condition where the photoreceptors are permanently destroyed,” Tinsley explained. “Much like a thermal burn that can be caused by a laser.”
According to Tinsley, symptoms of problems after looking into a solar eclipse are loss of central vision, distorted vision and altered color vision.
Halter explained that the chamber of commerce decided early on to sell properly-rated glasses for the eclipse.
“We started planning this a few years ago,” Halter noted. “One of the first things we decided was to sell glasses. And we made sure that our glasses have the proper ISO rating.”
One of the motivating factors, Halter explained, was to keep people safe while visiting Poplar Bluff for the eclipse.
“We expect a lot of people to be here for the eclipse,” Halter said. “We want everyone who comes here for the eclipse to have a good time and be safe. We don’t anything bad to happen. So if we can help by providing safe glasses at a low cost, that’s what we will do.”
Halter noted that hes seen other places online selling eclipse glasses for $10, while the chamber of commerce is selling glasses for $2 per pair.
“It’s also important to realize the damage that can be done by pointing your camera lens directly at the sun. You can fry your phone,” Halter laughed. “I think that’s what happened to my phone with the ‘ring of fire’ sun (eclipse) in October.”
Halter explained that many people use phones that cost near to or more than $1,000.
“If you think about it, it’s just not wise to risk your phone over something so simple,” Halter stated. “So the chamber is also selling properly rated filters to cover the lens on your phone.
“The filter for the phone is basically a one size fits all,” Halter said. “It should work for any phone.”
Halter said the sunglasses and phone filter are both available at the chamber of commerce building, at 1111 W. Pine St. in Poplar Bluff.
“We will also be taking the glasses and filters with us to the high school on the day of the event,” Halter said. “So, if we get to the day of the eclipse and someone doesn’t have glasses, they can just spend $2 with us to get the glasses. That way they won’t be taken advantage of.”