Eye specialists issue warning ahead of solar eclipse

Optometrists are advising members of the public to exercise caution in viewing tomorrow's solar eclipse as prolonged exposure to direct rays of the sun can burn the retina.

On Friday morning, there will be a rare 92% partial eclipse of the sun over Ireland. The eclipse will be visible from 8.30am in the morning, peaking at about 9.30am and be complete by 10.40am.

Met Eireann is forecasting some cloud cover for tomorrow morning in many parts of the country so the eclipse itself may not actually be visible if it is cloudy, though the morning will become darker as the moon moves in front of the sun.

Eye specialists say if the retina is damaged, vision is affected and it can take up to a year to heal, but in some cases there can be lasting damage known as solar retinopathy.

The association said that the safest way to view the eclipse is to make a small hole in a card, hold it up to the sun and project the image on the ground or a second piece of white card. People should not view the sun directly through the hole.

The eclipse can also be safely viewed through appropriate filters called eclipse glasses. It is essential that these glasses have no scratches or damage to the lenses. 

They say that high protection welding goggles are also suitable (filter 14 or over). Sunglasses or 3D viewing glasses are not suitable and should not be used.