On April 8th Ontario will experience a total eclipse of the sun. In Greater Sudbury, the eclipse will start around 2 pm with the full eclipse at approximately 3:20 pm. Safety is the number one priority during a solar eclipse. Looking directly at the uncovered sun without protection can cause retinol burns, blurred vision, or loss of eyesight.
Dr. Kent, HSN’s Head of Ophthalmology Services, has some important tips to share in anticipation of this historical event:
☀️ Only view the eclipse using International Organization of Standardization (ISO) certified eclipse glasses. Do not remove glasses at any point during the eclipse.
☀️ Sustained or high-intensity light exposure from the eclipse can permanently damage the retina. The damage is painless and you may not know that it is happening.
☀️ Ensure you are observing the eclipse in an area without movement of people, patients, or vehicles.
☀️ Give yourself plenty of time to travel to work, get gas in advance, and plan to avoid main roads and highways, where most of the congestion will be.
☀️ Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.
HSN encourages patients and families who may have appointments on the afternoon of April 8th to plan for potential delays associated with the eclipse. This includes booking transit services and taxis in advance, and ensuring family members who drive people to appointments also plan for possible traffic delays.
Visit the Canadian Space Agency’s website by visiting bit.ly/4aaO6er for more information.