A LEADING public health boss has renewed the appeal for people not to risk their eyesight by looking directly at the sun during the eclipse.

Professor John Ashton, North West Regional Director of Public Health, reinforced the warning by Chief Medical Officer Professor Liam Donaldson and East Lancashire ophthalmic surgeon Indira Siva-Yoham.

He said solar eclipse watchers should play safe with their eyesight and watch the phenomenon on television.

Professor Ashton said: "Every parent has a duty to ensure that children and young people do not gamble with their eyesight by risking a glance at the eclipse.

"Sunglasses, smoked glass, film negatives and many of the so-called viewing aids which are currently on sale will not afford adequate protection.

"Far too many people suffered permanent eyesight damage during the last eclipse of the sun and a small number are now blind as a result. It just isn't worth the risk."

Professor Donaldson said the only safe way to view the August 11 eclipse was to do so indirectly with, for example, a pinhole projection viewer. But if you want to enjoy the full effect of this phenomenon use your TV set. Leave the filming to the professionals. He said: "Making an indirect viewer is a cheap and simple alternative. You can use two pieces of cardboard, put a pinhole in the middle of one of the cards and stand with your back to the sun.

"Use the card with the pinhole to cast the image of the eclipse on to the second card which should be about half a metre away."

A checklist has been published by health experts who are advising people:

Not to look directly at the sun.

Not to use sunglasses to view the eclipse.

Not to use a telescope or binoculars.

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