Spain warns of eye‑damage risk for August 12 solar eclipse

Health authorities in Spain are urging the public to use only certified solar‑eclipse glasses for the total eclipse on 12 August. Juan Ilarduya, vice‑president of the Colegio Nacional de Ópticos‑Optometristas, stresses that glasses must bear the European CE mark and meet ISO 12312‑2 standards, which filter visible, infrared and ultraviolet radiation to safe levels. He warns that cheap glasses sold on platforms such as Shein or Temu and homemade filters – including radiographs, CDs or ordinary sunglasses – do not provide adequate protection and can cause retinal burns that may lead to permanent central vision loss. “Nosotros, como ópticos‑optometristas, siempre vamos a recomendar que las adquieran en un establecimiento sanitario,” Ilarduya says. “Ese ISO garantiza que filtran la radiación solar visible, la infrarroja y la ultravioleta a niveles seguros,” he adds. The advice also highlights special precautions for children, recommending that their glasses be inspected for scratches and used only under adult supervision.

The guidance aims to prevent both short‑term visual impairment and long‑term damage such as permanent scotoma resembling age‑related macular degeneration.