Experts issue UAE solar eclipse safety warning ahead of rare spectacle

Experts have urged UAE sky gazers to view this week's eagerly-awaited solar eclipse safely - or risk causing significant damage to their sight. The country will bear witness to an event that occurs only once in several generations on Thursday, a stunning 'ring of fire' solar eclipse where the moon will pass in front of the sun's centre, leaving its edges to form a bright circle. It is an extremely rare event and it comes 172 years after it was last visible Emirates. A senior doctor warned that looking directly to the sun during the eclipse could cause irreversible damage to the retina. Dr Mohit Jain, a specialist ophthalmologist at RAK Hospital, said that because of the darkness caused by the eclipse people will be able to focus on the sun more easily, but this could come at a high cost. He called on residents to avoid the temptation to do so without donning filtered solar eclipse glasses. “When the sun is in its normal state, it is difficult to look at it because of the blinding light which saves us from the harmful rays that can hurt us,” said Dr Jain. “However, because of the darkness during the solar eclipse, we are able to look directly at the sun, which means our eyes are absorbing those harmful rays and that can potentially damage our sight. Dr Jain said that everyone is equally vulnerable to retinal damage both children and adults. “The natural lens in our eyes condense the light on to the photosensitive layer of the eye called the retina," he said. "The retina may suffer partial damage or even a burn hole may form in the layers of theretina and everyone is equally vulnerable to retinal damage. “There are myths that wearing darker sunglasses or multiple layers of sunglasses may protect the eyes, but these are completely false.” “To properly view the solar eclipse, one needs a solar eclipse filter glasses. These glasses are specially designed, and they need to be ISO certified.” “Dubaiastronomy.com are offering them for around Dh20 each and they are CE and ISO certified for direct sun viewing.” Viewing the eclipse through an unfiltered camera lens, smartphones or telescopes can also cause eye damage. “Taking pictures using smartphones, cameras and telescopes are not safe at all,” said Dr Jain. “Even for these, we need a proper filter and gazing at the sun through the lens of these devices could be very damaging.” Dr Jain said that no immediate symptoms would appear after solar eclipse exposure, meaning many may stare at the sun for longer periods and increase the risk of serious harm. “Damage to the retina after exposure to a solar eclipse is quite painless and asymptomatic in the beginning,” he said. “Patients experience no outward symptoms immediately. “Generally, symptoms begin to manifest a few hours or even days after the exposure. These include decrease in the colour sensation, distorted images and lines. “At times, one may even see black spots in the centre of the visual field and anyone suffering from such symptoms should consult an eye speciality immediately.” Dr Jain's safety call was echoed by the UAE Space Agency. The agency warned residents about the risks of looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection, or viewing the eclipse through regular sunglasses, an unfiltered camera lens, a telescope or binoculars. "Looking directly at solar eclipses can cause severe damage to the eyes," the agency stressed. The solar eclipse will be best viewed in Liwa in Abu Dhabi's Western Region as there is very little light pollution there. The full eclipse, which will start at 7.25am, will last just a few minutes. However, the total solar spectacle will last more than two hours. There are several public events being held across the UAE. Dubai Astronomy Group is holding events to mark the eclipse at Mushrif Park in Dubai. The UAE Space Agency will also be monitoring the rare event. Eclipse prayers will be held at mosques across the UAE on Thursday at 7.40am The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments said that Salat Al Kusoof, eclipse prayers, will be held at mosques across the country. The eclipse prayer is not mandatory (fardh), rather advised (sunnah) because Prophet Mohammed was said to do it. Muslims perform it whenever an eclipse occurs. It is typically performed in groups, in mosques lead by an imam.

Experts issue UAE solar eclipse safety warning ahead of rare spectacle

Residents are being urged not to look at the sun with the naked eye and ensure they wear suitable glasses during 'ring of fire' eclipse on Thursday