How to watch Monday's solar eclipse safely

Regular sunglasses will not cut it – experts recommend wearing specific solar eclipse glasses for protection, saying they will block the vast majority of the UV light.

Shniece Archer and Adolfo Carrion

Apr 4, 2024, 1:19 AM

Updated 250 days ago

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In just a few days, the solar eclipse will grace the skies.
It will be the last visible total solar eclipse in the United States until 2044. Experts want to remind people that you can’t look directly into the sun during the eclipse.
“It would permanently damage, pretty much, the eyes,” said Ilya Leskov, director of retina service at Kings County. “When you're looking a the sun the rays of the sun will be focused by the lens of the eyes right on the retina, the most central part of the retina, and unfortunately it will burn the retina."
Leskov says that it could cause not only pain, but permanent sight loss. And regular sunglasses will not cut it – experts recommend wearing specific solar eclipse glasses for protection, saying they will block the vast majority of the UV light that can damage eyes.
On Monday, the solar eclipse will be visible to all New Yorkers.
“I find it's going to be really exciting,” said Leskov. “I think we're very lucky to live almost directly in the path of the total eclipse."