On Aug. 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will be coming to North America for the first time since 1979 and for the first time since 1918, the eclipse will be crossing the country from coast to coast. With all the excitement surrounding this event, organizations such Prevent Blindness, the American Optometric Association (AOA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) are educating the public on appropriate ways to view the eclipse.

Exposing your eyes to the eclipse without proper eye protection, Prevent Blindness reports, can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns also known as solar retinopathy.

ECPs are educating patients about the proper glasses to wear to view even a partial eclipse. Go to the NASA website, at www.nasa.gov, for more information.

Check out this infographic from the AOA for tips to safely view the solar eclipse.