Solar Eclipse Glasses Guide

For travellers heading to Iceland to witness the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, it’s crucial to understand the importance of solar eclipse glasses. As breathtaking as a solar eclipse is, it’s vital to view it safely, which is why special glasses are essential. In this guide, we’ll explore what kind of glasses are required to safely view a solar eclipse, where you can buy them, and why they are so important.

While Iceland offers stunning locations like Perlan in Reykjavík to watch this magical event, preparation is crucial to ensuring you can enjoy the eclipse safely and without risking eye damage. But before preparing for the event, it helps to understand what a solar eclipse is and how it occurs.

What Are Solar Eclipse Glasses?

Solar eclipse glasses are designed to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. Unlike regular sunglasses, which do not provide adequate protection, solar eclipse glasses are made from special materials that filter out 100% of the harmful rays, allowing only a tiny fraction of light through. This makes it safe to look directly at the sun during an eclipse.

Solar eclipse glasses meet international safety standards, ensuring they filter out harmful radiation and prevent retinal damage. These glasses are made with optical filters that significantly reduce the intensity of sunlight, allowing you to view the eclipse without discomfort or risk. There are different types of solar eclipses, including total, partial, and annular eclipses, each offering a unique viewing experience.

Why Are Solar Eclipse Glasses Important?

Looking directly at the sun, even during a solar eclipse, can cause severe damage to your eyes. The sun emits harmful rays that can permanently damage the retina—the light-sensitive part of your eye. This condition, known as solar retinopathy, occurs when the sun’s UV rays burn the retina, causing irreversible damage. The effects may not be immediately noticeable but can result in permanent vision impairment or even blindness.

During a solar eclipse, it may feel safer to look at the sun because part of its light is obscured, but the danger remains. Even when the moon partially blocks the sun, the remaining visible sunlight is still intense enough to cause severe eye damage. That’s why certified solar eclipse glasses are the only safe way to view the event.

Eclipses are not random events; they are calculated years in advance. Learn how solar eclipses are predicted and why astronomers can pinpoint them so accurately. To fully appreciate the eclipse, it’s important to understand what causes a solar eclipse and how the alignment of celestial bodies creates this rare spectacle

What Kind of Glasses Do You Need?

When purchasing solar eclipse glasses, make sure they meet the following criteria:

ISO Certification

The glasses should be marked with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. This certification guarantees that the glasses filter out harmful UV and IR radiation and 99.9% of visible light, making it safe to look directly at the sun.

No Scratches or Damage

Always check your glasses before use. If they are scratched, damaged, or older than three years, it’s best to replace them to ensure full protection.

Don’t Use Regular Sunglasses

Ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark, do not provide adequate protection against the intense radiation from the sun. Only specially designed eclipse glasses can safely filter the sun’s rays.

Where to Buy Solar Eclipse Glasses

For tourists visiting Iceland, finding solar eclipse glasses well before the event is essential. As the eclipse date approaches, many stores and online retailers will begin selling certified glasses.

Perlan will be selling glasses close up to the eclipse. Other reliable sellers are https://eclipse2026.is/ and https://solmyrkvagleraugu.is/. Proper preparation is key to experiencing this event safely. Read our guide on how to prepare for a solar eclipse to make the most of the spectacle.

Special Eclipse Viewing Events

Many eclipse viewing events, including those hosted at places like Perlan, may provide solar eclipse glasses to attendees. Always confirm in advance to ensure they will be available as supplies may be limited.

Why It’s Important to Use Solar Eclipse Glasses

Viewing a solar eclipse without proper eye protection can lead to serious, irreversible eye damage. While the temptation to glance at the sun during the event is strong, it’s essential to resist unless you’re equipped with certified eclipse glasses. Here’s why:

Solar Retinopathy

The most significant risk of viewing an eclipse without glasses is solar retinopathy. The intense light can burn your retinas, causing permanent vision loss. This damage can occur in seconds and may not be immediately noticeable, making it even more dangerous.

Preventing Temporary Blindness

Even glancing at the sun without protection can result in temporary blindness or vision disturbances. Solar eclipse glasses protect your eyes, allowing you to enjoy the event without discomfort or injury.

Safe and Enjoyable Experience

Certified eclipse glasses ensure you can watch the eclipse safely and thoroughly appreciate its beauty. You’ll be able to focus on the experience rather than worrying about your eye health.

Can You Look at the Sun During Totality?

During a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely covers the sun, it is safe to briefly remove your eclipse glasses and view the event with the naked eye. However, this is only safe during totality, lasting just a few minutes. As soon as the sun begins to reappear, you must immediately put your glasses back on.

In places like Reykjavík, where totality will be visible during the 2026 eclipse, viewers can safely look at the sun without glasses for the brief duration of totality. However, outside the path of totality, you must always wear eclipse glasses. For those interested in capturing the moment, check out these tips for solar eclipse photography to safely document the event.

FAQs

What happens if you don’t have solar eclipse glasses?

If you don’t have eclipse glasses and look directly at the sun, even for a brief moment, you risk serious damage to your retinas, which can lead to permanent vision loss. It’s essential to use certified eclipse glasses for protection.

Where can I get free eclipse glasses?

In some cases, eclipse glasses may be distributed for free at public viewing events, libraries, schools, and museums. 

Can I look at the eclipse through my phone?

Looking at the eclipse through your phone without a solar filter can still be dangerous. While the phone’s screen won’t directly harm your eyes, the camera sensor can be damaged by intense sunlight, and you may accidentally expose your eyes to harmful rays. Always use proper solar filters for both your phone and your eyes.