Stay Safe: Public Health Shares Guidelines for Viewing Solar Eclipse Without Eye Damage

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is reminding residents to take necessary precautions while viewing the solar eclipse, which is expected, April 8. 

“As we anticipate viewing the solar eclipse, I urge everyone to prioritize their eye safety. The sun’s powerful rays can cause serious eye damage if you look directly at it during an eclipse,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “By following simple precautions and using certified eclipse glasses and avoiding direct sun gazing, we can safely enjoy this amazing natural phenomenon.”  

In Los Angeles County, residents are expected to see a partial eclipse.  

Residents can enjoy the eclipse while keeping their eyes safe by abiding by the following guidelines: 

• Do not look directly at the sun
• Wear eclipse glasses, or solar viewers, with certified solar filters and ensure lenses are in good condition. To learn more about proper eye protection and find suppliers of safe solar viewers and filters, visit the American Astronomical Society. Free eclipse glasses are also available at select Los Angeles Public Libraries.
• Do not use sunglasses, binoculars, or telescopes
• Always supervise children using solar viewers
• Use a pinhole viewer to view the eclipse indirectly without looking at the sun. Instructions on how to do this are on this website.

Residents can also view a livestream of the eclipse on NASA’s and Griffith Observatory’s websites. 

The Los Angeles County libraries are hosting solar eclipse events and activities starting this weekend. For a list, click here.