North Wales Live
·Aug 2026
Solar eclipse glasses sold out across UK – how to safely watch without them
Solar eclipse glasses have sold out across the UK ahead of the near-total eclipse on August 12, 2026. Experts warn that ordinary sunglasses, counterfeit glasses, and unfiltered cameras, binoculars, or telescopes can cause serious retinal damage, sometimes leading to permanent vision impairment. Safe alternatives include watching a live broadcast, projecting the eclipse with a colander or pinhole projector, or viewing projected images in tree shadows. Optical equipment should only be used with approved solar filters, and cloud cover does not make direct viewing safe.