LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When the moon steals the spotlight from the sun on April 8, likely everyone from below will look up. But the glance at nature's phenomena could be harmful if safe practices aren't followed.

Vision First Optometrist Dr. Katrina Black has the best perspective on the matter.

"Everybody is getting really excited in this area," Black said as she explained that patients have been asking about how to safely view the eclipse.

Black's answer is the same for everyone: the only way to view this once-in-a-lifetime moment is with the proper eye protection.

WDRB is offering thousands of safe, tested solar eclipse viewing glasses to the community. The glasses are ISO approved, meaning they have been tested and meet federal safety requirements.

Black suggests checking any solar eclipse viewing glasses for the ISO logo on the earpiece. The ISO rating number to look for inside the frame is 12321-2.

"Any time throughout the eclipse, if you're wanting to view the sun, make sure that you have those eclipse viewing sunglasses," she said.

Looking at the sun, even in 99% totality, can be permanently damaging. Those who do not wear the proper eye protection while looking at the sun are at risk for solar retinopathy, which causes central vision loss.

Even damaged glasses could be unsafe.

"They are filtering out the damaging rays that the sun gives off," Black said. "Make sure that there's no scratches or damages to the glasses themselves, because even if there's a small scratch, you don't want to be looking through them."

However, in the moment when the sun takes center stage, for those viewing in 100% totality, that can be viewed with the naked eye. Black said you should be certain totality has arrived, and don't risk looking for too long.

"It's okay to take the glasses off and look at it," she said. "As soon as that sun starts to peak back over, even for a brief amount of it, you've got to put those glasses back on."

Optometrists also say you should use the proper lenses for all cameras, including phones, if you plan to point them at the sun.

You can find the WDRB solar eclipse viewing glasses at any Scooter's Coffee location. You can get a free pair with any purchase of a specialty drink or Scoot Energy. You can also get up to four extra pairs of glasses for $2 each.

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