Health officials have issued a stern warning that specialist glasses must be used by anyone intending to watch Wednesday’s solar eclipse. With around 90% of the Sun set to be obscured by the Moon, the UK is preparing for its most significant celestial event in 27 years. However, the high demand for safety equipment has led to widespread shortages.
At a bakery in central London, the scene is far from typical. Stock has been flying off the shelves, but not because of pastries. “I’ve sold, like, 100 this morning,” a staff member tells the. Customers are queuing out the door specifically to purchase eclipse glasses, hoping to catch a safe glimpse of the event while struggling to secure the right gear in time.
Many enthusiasts are finding that online retailers are completely sold out. Those few pairs still available often require a hefty next-day delivery fee or simply cannot arrive before the eclipse begins. This scarcity has forced many to look for alternatives, with eclipse glasses turning up for sale in unexpected places as various retailers attempt to capitalise on the sudden surge in demand.
One customer waiting to buy three pairs at the London bakery on Monday shared their frustration with Radio 4’s PM programme. “I Googled ‘where can I get eclipse glasses but not through the post’, because I realised I was too late,” they explained. Another customer noted the difficulty of the situation, stating, “People have been struggling to find them all over.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that the right glasses must have the international safety standard ISO 12312-2 printed on them. They warn that lenses must not be scratched, torn, or damaged. Furthermore, the agency cautions against using old glasses from the 1999 eclipse, recommending that people purchase new, certified pairs instead.
The scramble for safe spectacles has prompted many to trawl social media for tips. A WhatsApp channel advertising stock in various corner shops has attracted thousands of followers in just a few days, with some shops even offering delivery. Elsewhere, hopeful buyers on Reddit and Facebook are being directed to online marketplaces, sometimes for expensive bulk purchases.
“Be cautious of products sold online,” the UKHSA advises. “If you’re unsure whether a product is certified, don’t use it.” UKEclipse, an initiative set up by UK astronomers, also warns that major eclipses often attract counterfeit and substandard glasses, advising the public to source their equipment only through confirmed specialist retailers and reputable organisations.
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) urges chasers to consult its list of manufacturers confirmed to test their glasses properly in a lab. Those who manage to find a pair can perform a safety check by testing them inside and outside on a sunny day. In both settings, users should not be able to see anything other than very bright lights, such as the Sun’s reflection off a shiny surface, which should appear very faint.
If the glasses pass that test, the AAS suggests a final check: glance at the Sun for less than a second. You should only be able to see a sharp-edged, round disk that is comfortably bright, set against a dark background. “If your viewers pass all three tests, they are probably safe,” the society states.
Experts warn that even a small part of the Sun breaking through the glasses can cause lasting damage. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists notes that the safest way to watch is indirectly, such as through a livestream. “Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens,” explains the college’s president, Mohamed Elalfy.
The college reported around 70 cases of vision problems following the 1999 eclipse, with 40% of those affected having looked at the Sun for less than a minute. Anyone noticing a change in their vision after the event should seek immediate advice from an eye-care professional. Additionally, you should never use binoculars, telescopes, or camera viewfinders with eclipse glasses, as their magnification can nullify protection.
Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at The Royal Observatory Greenwich, emphasizes that specialist glasses are “very, very different” to regular sunglasses, which offer no protection. “They block out so much light that you can’t see anything through them except the Sun,” she told the PA news agency. “We’re not going to get one this good for a really long time, so it’s important not to miss it, and to be prepared.”
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