Spain recalls six solar eclipse glasses models due to eye injury risk

solar eclipse eye safety product recall retinal damage ISO 12312-2

Authorities in several Spanish regions, including Madrid, Castilla y León, Galicia, La Rioja, and Aragon, have ordered the immediate withdrawal of six solar eclipse glass models due to significant eye injury risks. The affected brands include Lionstar, ECP Eye Care Professional, Pelispan, Homanaje, Orro, and Opticalia.

Consumer protection groups, such as FACUA, have identified a critical defect: the filters in these models are excessively dark. This extreme opacity prevents users from locating the solar disk while wearing the glasses. Consequently, users may instinctively lift, tilt, or remove the glasses to orient themselves toward the sun. During these brief moments of unprotected exposure, the eyes are vulnerable to direct visible, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation, which can cause permanent chemical or thermal lesions to the retinal cells.

To ensure safety during the solar eclipse, experts and the National Geographic Institute emphasize that only glasses meeting the ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015 international standard are safe for direct solar observation. This certification must be permanently engraved or printed on the temple of the glasses. Standard sunglasses, regardless of how dark they appear, do not provide the necessary level of protection and should not be used to view the sun.

Entities

Cantabria · Consejo General de Colegios de Ópticos-Optometristas · ECP Eye Care Professional · FACUA · FACUA-Consumidores en Acción · Guardia Civil · Lionstar · Ministry of Consumer Affairs · Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda · Opticalia · Pelispan · Spain

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Observing the sun through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without appropriate filters can damage vision and destroy device sensors.
[● 3 SOURCES] Eclipse glasses must have security certifications such as ISO 12312-2:2015 or CE marking.
[● 3 SOURCES] Standard UV-protective sunglasses are insufficient and dangerous for direct solar observation during an eclipse.
[● 3 SOURCES] The General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges and the General Council of Opticians and Optometrists have released guides for eclipse observation.
[● 3 SOURCES] Using homemade filters like X-rays, CDs, or analog film poses a risk of irreversible retinal damage.
[DISPUTED] Authorities have ordered the withdrawal of six solar eclipse glass models due to eye injury risks. www.noticiasdenavarra.com · www.vilaweb.cat · www.que.madrid · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.cadizdirecto.com · +6 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Standard sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection for direct solar observation. www.deia.eus
[● 16 SOURCES] The brands Lionstar, ECP Eye Care Professional, Pelispan, Homanaje, Orro, and Opticalia have had models withdrawn from the market. www.noticiasdenavarra.com · www.vilaweb.cat · www.que.madrid · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.cadizdirecto.com · +7 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Seized glasses lacked the required ISO 12312-2:2015 certification. www.cantabriadiario.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The seized goods were considered a smuggling infraction because they did not meet legal requirements for lawful import. www.cantabriadiario.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Guardia Civil seized nearly 100 units of non-compliant eclipse glasses in Cantabria. www.cantabriadiario.com
[● 16 SOURCES] The defective glasses can cause chemical or thermal lesions in the retinal cells. www.noticiasdenavarra.com · www.vilaweb.cat · www.que.madrid · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.cadizdirecto.com · +7 more