How should you use certified glasses?

Never look at the sun without adequate protection. Forget about ordinary sunglasses, tinted lenses, X-rays or old CDs. None of these methods block enough radiation.

Always remember: assist or supervise the checking and fitting of glasses for children and people with disabilities in your care, and inform them when they can remove them.

  • What to wear: You must use eclipse glasses certified to ISO 12312-2 that have not expired.
  • Pre-use inspection: before using them, check against a light source to ensure they are not scratched, cracked, perforated or damaged. If they are, do not use them and dispose of them properly.
  • How to use them: put the eclipse glasses on before looking at the Sun, look for only a few seconds, then look away; repeat the observation of the eclipse with pauses and never look at the eclipse for more than three minutes continuously. Remove them only after looking away from the Sun. If you wear prescription glasses, place the eclipse glasses over them, holding them with both hands so they do not move. For a child wearing glasses, supervision and even physical assistance by an adult is recommended. If you wear contact lenses, wear the eclipse glasses over them in the usual way.
  • When to remove the glasses: this is the most important distinction depending on the type of eclipse:
    • Eclipses of 2026 and 2027 (total): We recommend that you keep your glasses on at all times. However, it is only safe to remove them during the minutes of totality (when the Moon completely covers the Sun and it becomes dark). As soon as the first ray of light appears (the 'diamond ring'), you must protect your eyes immediately.
    • 2028 eclipse (annular): It is NEVER safe to look without glasses. Even at the peak moment, the 'ring of fire' continues to emit enough direct sunlight to damage your eyesight. You must keep your glasses on at all times.

Optical instruments: extreme danger

  • Never look directly at the Sun through binoculars, telescopes or cameras without a professional solar filter fitted to the front (lens) of the device.

Fatal mistake: never wear eclipse glasses over the eyepiece of a telescope. The lens concentrates light and heat, which will melt the glasses and burn your eye instantly.