Solar Eclipse 2017: Don't Fall For Fake Eclipse Glasses

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Much of South Carolina and parts of North Carolina are in a prime position for witnessing the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. If you're planning on watching the nearly once-in-a-lifetime show, you need to protect your eyes. But NASA is warning eclipse-watchers of phony glasses being sold that could put their vision at risk.

Some companies are taking advantage of the eclipse to make a quick buck, and fake glasses are flooding the market, according to NASA.

NASA solar astrophysicist Alex Young told CBS that fake glasses can do real harm if they're used to watch the eclipse. “They damage the cells in your eyes, they damage your retinas and the damage can be permanent,” he said. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Charlotte — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

RELATED: Get Your NASA-Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses Before It's Too Late

To protect your peepers during the Aug. 21 big event, NASA says you can be sure you're getting the real deal if you buy eclipse glasses from these manufacturers:

• Rainbow Symphony
• American Paper Optics
• Thousand Oaks Optical
• TSE 17
• Baader Planetarium

Buyers should also look for the certified ISO icon and the number 12312-2 on eclipse glasses to be sure they will properly block the light, Young said. Ten-packs of certified ISO glasses are available on Amazon.

NASA warns eclipse-watchers against using homemade glasses, and offers these safety tips to protect your eyes, since looking directly at the sun is never safe:

• Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter. Always supervise children using solar filters.
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device. Similarly, do not look at the sun through a camera, a telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while using your eclipse glasses or hand-held solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will damage the filter and enter your eye(s), causing serious injury.

Watch: Eye Protection Is Critical For Viewing The Solar Eclipse

Once you get your safe viewing glasses sorted, there are other considerations when it comes to viewing the total solar eclipse, like not wearing them while driving.

Also, warn law enforcement, don’t take photos of the event while driving, either.

The total solar eclipse will be visible in western North Carolina beginning at 2:33 p.m. in Cherokee, Graham, Swain, Clay, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania counties. All other counties in the state are expected to have a partial eclipse of 90 percent or more.

NCDOT suggests the following:
Arrive Early

• Plan ahead if you want to view the total eclipse. Know where you want to be and make arrangements for accommodations as soon as possible.
• Expect higher traffic volumes beforehand. Large crowds will gather in the seven North Carolina counties in the path of totality. There will be many travelers on the state's highway system headed to South Carolina.
• Get to your viewing location well in advance of the eclipse.
• NCDOT will suspend most road construction projects and lane closures beginning Aug. 19 through Aug. 22.

Stay Put

• Watch out for pedestrians on secondary roads and city streets. People may be randomly parking and walking along roadsides as they search for a viewing spot.
• Watch out for distracted drivers around you.
• Do not try to view the eclipse or take photographs while driving.
• Turn on your headlights if driving during the eclipse. Even in partial totality, it will become dark outside.
• Do not stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder to view the eclipse. Exit the roadway and park in a safe spot.
• Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.

Leave Late

• Most people viewing the eclipse will try to depart for home immediately afterward, much like the end of a sporting event or concert.
• Motorists – especially in the westernmost counties – should expect heavy traffic congestion following the eclipse.
• Drivers may want to detour or postpone a trip immediately following the eclipse.
• Expect extra congestion on interstates and other primary routes on the day of and the day after the eclipse.
• Get real-time traffic updates at DriveNC.gov or dial 511.

You can find more tips for viewing the total eclipse in the Carolinas here.

Keep up with local news by liking us on Facebook:

» Patch Editor Shannon Antinori contributed to this article.
AP Photo/Ariel Schalit