Guidelines & Instructions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

About Solar Eclipse Glasses and Solar Viewing Safety
1. When Should I Buy Solar Eclipse Glasses?

We strongly recommend purchasing your solar eclipse glasses several weeks in advance of any upcoming solar eclipse.

As the solar eclipse approaches, demand increases exponentially, and many people rush to place last-minute orders. This surge often leads to shipping delays and logistical bottlenecks that can prevent glasses from arriving on time.

Additionally, suppliers may run out of stock as inventory sells out quickly in the days leading up to the event. Once that happens, it becomes difficult—or even impossible—to find certified solar eclipse glasses from trusted sources.

To ensure your safety and peace of mind, we recommend securing your glasses early and avoiding the last-minute rush.

Early preparation ensures timely delivery and also gives families with children an opportunity to practice safe solar eclipse viewing in advance.

Counterfeit solar eclipse glasses can be extremely dangerous, as they may not block harmful solar radiation. Always purchase your solar eclipse glasses from trusted, established brands like Spectrum.

While many vendors suggest looking for the ISO 12312-2:2015 certification logo printed on the glasses, this label can be forged. A better guarantee of safety is buying from a brand with a track record of compliance and transparency.

At Spectrum, all our solar eclipse glasses are:

⦁ Independently tested and certified in both the country of manufacture and the country of sale.

⦁ Fully compliant with ISO 12312-2:2015 standard.

⦁ Accompanied by publicly available lab test reports—we publish them on our websites.

Technically, no—if they are undamaged and properly stored.

If your solar eclipse glasses are ISO 12312-2:2015 compliant and the lenses are free from scratches, punctures, or any damage, they can be reused indefinitely.

Despite this, we recommend caution. Over time, improper storage or handling can lead to micro-damage that may not be visible to the naked eye. For this reason, many sources will recommend discarding solar eclipse glasses if they are more than 3 years old.

When in doubt, it’s safest to replace your eclipse glasses.

To extend the lifespan of your eclipse glasses:

⦁ Keep them flat in their original packaging, a protective envelope, or a plastic sleeve like a ziplock bag.

⦁ Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat.

⦁ Do not bend or fold them—this can damage the solar filter.

A surprisingly good storage spot? The refrigerator (inside a sealed bag), where temperature and humidity are low.

We advise against cleaning unless absolutely necessary. If dust or smudges appear:

⦁ Use a dry, soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the lenses.

⦁ Never use water, solvents, or cleaning agents.

⦁ Keep cardboard frames completely dry—moisture can warp them or loosen the lenses.

Yes! Spectrum solar eclipse glasses are designed to safely fit both adults and children.
However, children should only use solar eclipse glasses under adult supervision. If you’re planning to watch an eclipse with young children, take time to practice using the glasses indoors beforehand to ensure they understand how to wear them properly.

Total Solar Eclipses: You must use certified eclipse glasses at all times, except during the brief moment of totality—when the Moon completely covers the Sun—can you safely remove your eclipse glasses and look with the naked eye. As soon as the Sun begins to reappear, put the glasses back on

Misconceptions exist around totality—some believe harmful rays are still present. This is false. During totality, when the bright photosphere of the Sun is completely covered by the moon, only the faint light from the corona is visible, and this radiation is not dangerous or harmful to the eyes.

Partial & Annular Eclipses: You must use certified eclipse glasses at all times, even during the peak of the event, because part of the Sun remains visible.

With ISO 12312-2:2015 compliant solar eclipse glasses, there is no strict time limit for safe viewing in terms of radiation exposure. However, for comfort and safety: ⦁ Take short breaks to rest your eyes and prevent fatigue. ⦁ Avoid continuous viewing for extended periods. NASA warns that “staring at the Sun for minutes at a time even with proper filters can still overheat the tissues and fluids in the eye.”

Absolutely. Even a tiny sliver of exposed sunlight can cause permanent retinal damage.

The rods and cones in the human retina are very sensitive to light. Normally during daylight conditions, the iris contracts so that only a small, safe amount of light passes through the lens and then reaches the retina.

However, the Sun’s surface is so bright that even a thin sliver of its light can still damage the eye if you were to look directly at it. When exposed to direct sunlight, retinal cells will become damaged, sometimes permanently.

This can happen even after a quick glance at the Sun so it is very important to never look at the Sun directly.

Always use certified solar eclipse glasses and never look directly at the Sun.

If you experience any vision changes after viewing the solar eclipse, consult an eye care professional.

Spectrum solar eclipse glasses are certified to ISO 12312-2:2015 standard, meaning they filter out the Sun’s harmful rays and are safe when used correctly.

However, certification alone doesn’t prevent eye damage if the glasses are misused, damaged, or worn incorrectly. It is up to the user to follow safety instructions diligently.

Never look at the sun through an unfiltered camera, binoculars, or telescope, even if you’re wearing eclipse glasses. These devices amplify the sun’s rays and the concentrated solar rays could damage the filter and enter your eyes, causing serious eye injury!

Only look at the Sun through these devices if they have dedicated certified solar filters securely mounted on the front.

How to Safely Use Solar Eclipse Glasses

Watching a solar eclipse is an unforgettable experience—but it must be done safely. Improper use of eclipse glasses can lead to serious eye damage, even during brief exposure.

If you’re viewing with children, we strongly recommend practicing these steps indoors beforehand. Children should always be closely supervised during the eclipse.

Step 1 : Use Only Certified Solar Eclipse Glasses 🔍

✅ Before anything else, make sure your solar eclipse glasses are:

  • Certified to ISO 12312-2 standard for safe solar viewing.
  • Purchased from a trusted source like Spectrum.

🔎 Inspect the glasses carefully and discard any with scratches, holes, warping, bubbles, or loose film.

⚠️ Never use damaged eclipse glasses under any circumstances.

Solar eclipses are exciting for kids—but safety comes first!
If you’re watching with children 👨‍👩:

  • Practice the steps indoors beforehand.
  • Make sure they understand the process.
  • Supervise them at all times.

📖 Read and understand these instructions before going outside.

👣 Put on the eclipse glasses while looking at the ground—never look at the Sun without proper protection.

😎 Hold the glasses firmly against your eyes to block ambient light.

👓 If you wear prescription glasses, place the eclipse glasses over them.

Adjust for a good fit; you can hold them with your hands for extra stability.

⚠️ Important: Never look at the Sun first and then put on the glasses. You must have them on before looking up.

  • Once your solar eclipse glasses are on correctly, look toward the Sun.
  • 🕒 Observe in short intervals—no more than 2 to 3 minutes at a time.
  • ⬇️ When you want to stop looking, lower your eyes to the ground before removing the eclipse glasses.

After viewing:

  • 💤 Close your eyes for a few seconds to let them rest.
  • 💧 Blink gently or use artificial tears if you feel dryness.
  • 🕐 Take frequent breaks and avoid continuous staring to reduce eye strain.

 ✔️ Keep them in their original envelope or a ziplock bag.
🌡️ Store in a cool, dry place—a drawer or even the fridge works!
🚫 Never fold or bend the filters—they are delicate!

  • Always supervise children 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
  • Use only certified Eclipse glasses 🛡️
  • Never look at the Sun without protection ☀️
  • Take breaks and keep your eyes healthy 👁️