Planning to See the Solar Eclipse?

ST. LOUIS - MediNurse, now in its fourth decade as the premier provider of private duty nursing care, emphasizes that seeing the solar eclipse can be especially harmful for the elderly.

On Monday, August 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will be visible in North America for the first time in nearly a century. While this is an exciting occasion, it does bring a significant risk: looking directly at the Sun for even a second or two can cause irreparable damage to the retina. Senior citizens with pre-existing optical issues are more susceptible to total vision loss if they do not take the necessary precautions before viewing the eclipse.

This is an opportune time to remind people to have their eyes checked: between the ages of 40-65, every 2-4 years; and for age 65 and over, every 1-2 years.

NASA has provided tips to prevent long-lasting damage when viewing the solar eclipse:

• The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are NOT safe for looking at the Sun.
• Inspect the solar filter on your glasses before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter.
• Do NOT look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device. Also, do NOT look at the Sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer.
• Only when the Moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets quite dark can you remove your solar lenses. Experience totality, but as soon as the bright Sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to glance at the remaining partial phases of the eclipse.

MediNurse is St. Louis’ premier provider of private duty nursing services. MediNurse provides services that are customized to the individual needs of the client or patient and loved ones to ensure the best care possible. For more information, call 314-781-2800 or visit www.medinurse.com.