BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Great American Eclipse is just days away. By now, most people have already found a pair of ISO-certified glasses.
If you haven't, they are still available at a wide list of places.
However, not everyone has the proper glasses, and according to Dr. Ephraim Atwal with Atwal Eye Care, this is an experience you'll want to enjoy.
"It's called Solar Retinopathy or Eclipse Retinopathy. It happens from temporary or prolonged viewing of the sun," Dr. Atwal said.
Without protection, the sun can cause temporary or even permanent damage to your eyes.
"Light gets focused onto very sensitive tissue on the back of the eye called the Retina. There's a chemical reaction that occurs, injuring the cells in the back of the eye," Dr. Atwal said.
You can go to places like Speedway on Elmwood Avenue for glasses. They're being sold for $2.59.
However, don't pick up just any pair. There are scammers out there selling fake glasses. Here's how you can tell.
"Take these glasses while you're indoors and put them on and look at a bright light or even the flashlight on your phone. If you can barely see the light on those, that's typically a good indication that they are safe to use," Dr. Atwal says, "You should then take them outside, and you shouldn't be able to see much except for the horizon and some light in the sky."
Atwal calls the process a "three-step-test."
Whatever you do, because we can't stress it enough, "Do not use your sunglasses. That's an absolute no-no."