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Mosby

(16,297 posts)
Sat Aug 19, 2017, 11:37 PM Aug 2017

Scientists warn fake eclipse glasses can literally cook your retina

The order of 7,500 solar eclipse glasses arrived late last month. But before Peru State College could began distributing them to students, officials at the Nebraska school realized there was a problem: The glasses were fakes.

Although the paper-framed eyewear appeared to be made for safe eclipse viewing, a spokesman for the college said they did not meet the criteria outlined by NASA. Handing them out could have put thousands of students at risk of serious eye damage and permanent blindness.

“We had so many questions, but after talking to experts, we ultimately decided we weren’t comfortable giving those to students,” said Jason Hogue, the school’s marketing director. “It was an obvious decision once we had the facts.” (The school later ordered glasses from a reputable manufacturer in Arizona.)

Across the country, consumers and retailers have been struggling to identify fraudulent eclipse glasses, viewers and filters, which could cause irreversible damage to users’ eyes. NASA and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have assembled a list of reputable manufacturers, but they said it has been difficult to guard against copycats, especially on third-party websites. As a result, many say unsafe products abound online ahead of Monday’s widely publicized solar eclipse.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/scientists-warn-fake-eclipse-glasses-can-literally-cook-your-retina/2017/08/18/7172989a-8381-11e7-b359-15a3617c767b_story.html

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Snarkoleptic

(5,997 posts)
1. This is a sneak peek at the libertarian paradise we keep
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:00 AM
Aug 2017

hearing about. Thousands are blinded by a shady operator, but may be able to later sue for compensation. (Provided they can afford an attorney AND the company who blinded them has not filed for bankruptcy)
#freedumb

unblock

(52,183 posts)
3. the free market will fix this!
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:10 AM
Aug 2017

see, those shady operators' blinded customers will not buy from them against during the next solar eclipse in 2024!

so, so, so, seven years from now, boy i tell ya, those companies are really going to go out of business!

and if that doesn't do them in, surely when the eclipse after that comes in 2045, they'll really, really lose a lot of business!


that'll teach them a lesson!

cheating customers never pays, that's why the free market has completely rid our society of shady operators.
except where shady operators actually continue to exist, in which case, the customers must be actually demanding that they be ripped off and blinded!

who are you to question the will of the market!!!!

procon

(15,805 posts)
2. The Republican dream of a self correcting Free Market system really works.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:04 AM
Aug 2017

Right after all the customers go blind.

Ms. Toad

(34,059 posts)
6. I wouldn't trust an online venture,
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 12:29 AM
Aug 2017

but the ones listed by NASA, purchased at brick and mortar stores also listed on the NASA site with product info that matches, are a pretty safe bet

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
8. None around here
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:08 AM
Aug 2017

I sort of procrastinated buying some because I wasn't sure which place online to trust, and didn't see any at brick and mortar stores. I finally decided on Wednesday that I better make it a priority. I ended up ordering from one of the places listed by NASA. Had to pay for overnight shipping and order a minimum of 25 so they weren't cheap, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don't want to pass it up. As soon as my shipment arrived I went outside to try them out. They are awesome. I'm confident that my retinas won't get cooked.

I read that if you can't find the eclipse glasses, you could use arc welding goggles rated at least 14. Our local news said to get them rated 12.

I saw that the paper eclipse glasses were for sale by lots of opportunists in the Denver area for $100 apiece. Even if I was willing to pay that much, I wouldn't trust a pair I bought on Craigslist. I'm sharing my legit glasses with family and friends.

I've been telling everyone I know, and even strangers, how important it is to be safe with this. If they don't have the proper protection, they should stick to watching it on television and the Internet. I just hope nobody tries to take that quick peak. There are a lot of people who really have no idea what this is all about. "What's the big deal about this eclipse thing?", they say. I find the whole thing fascinating.

Our local astronomy club is having a viewing party and giving out free glasses. I'm sure that's happening all over the country.


Ms. Toad

(34,059 posts)
9. We got ours at Lowes for $3/pair.
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:13 AM
Aug 2017

Science centers and museums around here also seem to be having a number of events with free glasses.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
11. I'm sure they were that price here too, but....
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:22 AM
Aug 2017

I called a lot of places and they were all out, most having sold out in just a few hours. I ended up paying $150 for the 25 pairs, which is $6 apiece, which doesn't seem all that bad. It's just that I had to order 25 pairs. It's ok, though. It's better than cooked eyeballs.

LeftInTX

(25,221 posts)
14. You can share the rest
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:44 AM
Aug 2017

I bought a bunch at Lowe's a few weeks ago. I gave them to family members.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
16. You are thoughtful
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:50 AM
Aug 2017

I needed less than 10 for my family here, and really my husband and I only need one pair because we're watching our 10 month old grandson that morning and he's going to be kept inside. We'll just trade off going out to look. I'll make sure the rest get distributed though.

Rorey

(8,445 posts)
17. I can't do that in good conscience
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:52 AM
Aug 2017

At most, I could sell them at cost, but I'm sure I'll just be giving them away.

Hong Kong Cavalier

(4,572 posts)
10. The only online place I trusted was B and H Photo and Video
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:22 AM
Aug 2017

And the glasses I picked up were among the list NASA said was good for safe eclipse viewing.

global1

(25,240 posts)
13. News Reported On The Day After The Eclipse Will Be Filled With.....
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 01:27 AM
Aug 2017

incidences of people that fried their retina's by using fake glasses or looking directly at the sun.

Thekaspervote

(32,752 posts)
18. NASA says you can use welders shields #14 or above NOT the goggles!
Sun Aug 20, 2017, 02:11 AM
Aug 2017

The goggles are not meant for arc welding and therefore won't protect your eyes. You can still find them at lowes etc

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