COLUMBUS – As millions of people prepare for the total solar eclipse across Ohio and other states, medical experts are warn observers to wear designated eclipse sunglasses to avoid eye damage.
Serious damage, even blindness, can occur if eclipse-specific glasses are not worn, according to a 2024 report by JAMA Ophthalmology.
“If you’re staring at the sun, you are actually putting lots and lots of that sun’s energy onto your retina, where the rods and cones are that allow you to see. And then, you can burn those rods and cones and cause damage,” Purdue University aeronautics professor Barrett Caldwell said.
“We don’t have a way of repairing that damage, medically.”
On April, a total solar eclipse will briefly put parts of the United States, Mexico and Canada in complete darkness.
Everything you need to know about viewing the eclipse in Ohio is right here
The “path of totality” will cut a 150-mile-wide swath across Ohio, beginning about 3:00 p.m., and will be visible in Marion, Bellefontaine Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo (see above).
A partial eclipse can be seen in Columbus, Canton and Cincinnati.
Depending on where in Ohio you’re watching, the event will become visible at about 2:00 in the afternoon and last until 4:30 with the “peak of totality” at 3:15.
The next total eclipse seen in North America will not be visible until March of 2045.