Eclipse glasses 2026: separating fact from fiction

On August 12, 2026, France will witness an exceptional astronomical event: a very deep partial solar eclipse, visible across the entire country from 5 p.m., reaching its maximum around 8:20 p.m. Depending on the region, up to 95% of the sun's disk will be obscured by the moon—a level of obscuration that will not be seen again for several decades. In the Southwest, Biarritz and Bayonne will even approach 99.5% occultation … But with the excitement comes misinformation . Misconceptions about eclipse glasses are as widespread as counterfeit products—and some can be dangerous. Here are the facts to share before gazing at the sky during an eclipse like the one in August 2026…

"Sunglasses are enough": FALSE

This is the first—and most dangerous—misconception. Sunglasses, even category 4, do not protect against direct sunlight. They do not sufficiently filter the UV and infrared radiation that silently burns the retina. And the worst part: solar retinopathy is painless. The damage occurs without any pain, sometimes in a matter of seconds, and can be irreversible. The EN ISO 12312-2:2015 standard is the only valid standard for direct sunlight. It requires that the filter block 99.9997% of visible light , as well as all UV rays up to 380 nm and infrared rays up to 1400 nm. No consumer sunglasses achieve this level of filtration. Hence the skyrocketing demand in pharmacies and opticians!

"The CE marking is sufficient to guarantee safety": FALSE

The CE marking simply means that the product is declared compliant with a European directive — but not necessarily with the solar standard. An ordinary pair of sunglasses can bear the CE mark and offer no protection against the sun.

What you need to check is on the frame itself — not on the box, not on a sticker:

• The marking EN ISO 12312-2:2015 (or EN ISO 12312-2) printed on the plastic
• The CE marking followed by a 4-digit number identifying the European certification body
• The precautions for use in French are directly on the product.

If any of these elements are missing or seem unclear: do not sell them, do not use them.

"The market is flooded with counterfeit goods": TRUE

Unfortunately, this is an official alert, not a rumor! The DGCCRF ( French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) has opened an investigation after the discovery of batches lacking the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard, the CE marking, or instructions in French. The French Astronomy Association (AFA) officially issued the alert on June 18, 2026.

The figures are staggering: during the American eclipse of August 2017, Amazon urgently removed more than 200,000 pairs of counterfeit eclipse glasses from sale. On marketplaces like Amazon, AliExpress, and eBay, between 15 and 30% of eclipse glasses sold are estimated to be counterfeit. Also be wary of glasses distributed with special editions or promotional magazines about the 2026 eclipse—the AFA (French Astronomical Association) has specifically warned against these types of products, whose authenticity is not guaranteed .

"I kept my glasses from the previous eclipse, they'll do the trick": FALSE

No, no… Glasses used to view past eclipses are no longer suitable and should not be reused. The Mylar filter degrades over time—invisible scratches, micro-perforations, peeling—and a visually intact pair may no longer offer any real protection. The rule is simple: for an eclipse, use a new, certified pair.

Even brand-new glasses should be inspected before use : hold them up to a bright indoor light and check for scratches, holes, or tears. The slightest visible defect renders the pair unusable.

"No one has had any real problems watching eclipses without glasses": FALSE

The consequences of inadequate protection are serious and well-documented: this is not unfounded fear, it is a clinical reality. Public Health France recorded 147 people suffering from retinal burns after the 1999 solar eclipse in France, including 17 severe cases resulting in visual acuity of less than 2/10. Other sources document more than 500 cases of solar retinopathy after the same 1999 eclipse, the majority of which were linked to unsuitable eyewear.

Children are particularly vulnerable: their lenses filter UV rays less effectively, which exposes the retina to more radiation . Adult supervision throughout the observation is essential.

"Only in the total phase can the glasses be removed": TRUE but FALSE

Yes, during a total eclipse, there's a brief moment when the glasses could be removed… But be careful! This rule doesn't apply to mainland France in 2026. France will experience a partial eclipse—a portion of the solar disk will always remain visible, however small. Therefore, certified eclipse glasses must be worn for the entire duration of the observation , without exception.

Only observers located in the path of totality — essentially northern Spain and the Balearic Islands — can remove their glasses during the few seconds or minutes of complete totality, when the Sun is entirely obscured.

The role of the optician: timely advice

It hasn't been easy for opticians to meet the high demand and manage their stock of eclipse glasses this year, and we're thinking of all the shops whose phones haven't stopped ringing about it! However, faced with the influx of dubious products and consumer confusion, the optician remains the natural and trusted point of contact.

Directing people towards glasses certified to EN ISO 12312-2, explaining how to check a marking, reminding them that sunglasses do not protect: these are all simple tips that make a real difference.

Well done to all those who took advantage of the event to strengthen their role as visual health experts in your sector!

Photo credits: Featured image by Noah Wilke