Solar eclipse: protective glasses in high demand in France
On Wednesday 12 August a solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe. The eagerly awaited event requires precautions, and shops selling protective glasses are already being besieged.
Published on 11/08/2026 - 19:03 GMT+2
For the past few days, special eclipse viewing glasses have been flying off the shelves in pharmacies and specialist shops in France. As demand keeps rising, some outlets have already run out of stock, while others are placing repeated orders in an effort to satisfy customers.
"We didn't have any left for three days, but this morning we received a good stock for Wednesday evening," pharmacy assistant Aurélie Letavi told AFP.
The surge in demand is down to the fact that these protective glasses are essential.
To watch the eclipse – the moment when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun – it is absolutely vital to use special glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard and are CE certified, which are indispensable to protect the eyes.
They are sold in pharmacies, by opticians and in certain specialist chains, at prices ranging from €1.50 to €4 per pair.
Retinal burns and irreversible eye damage
Experts are unanimous: looking at this solar eclipse with the naked eye can have long-term consequences. In just a few seconds, the sun's rays can burn the retina and cause irreversible eye damage.
"The risk is retinal burns. And because we tend to stare at the image, this burn will occur at the level of the macula or just next to it. This area is very small, around 500 microns in diameter. That's where the cones and rods are located. And it is this region that allows you to see colours and have sharp, detailed vision. So if you burn this area, you lose your precise vision. And that damage is irreversible", warns Dr Eric Frau, ophthalmologist and retina specialist.
The last total solar eclipse visible in Europe dates back to August 1999. At that time, 1,024 people consulted a doctor after the eclipse in mainland France. Around 300 of them showed a retinal abnormality, according to the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) (source in French). One hundred and forty-seven patients (14%) had retinal damage and 106 (10%) had corneal damage.
Watching the solar eclipse, a few rules to follow
In France, the ministry responsible for the economy and the health ministry have launched an awareness campaign (source in French) ahead of the event.
They have issued a number of guidelines to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the moment without taking risks.
- Before the eclipse -When buying protective glasses, choose recognised sellers (opticians, specialist chains, pharmacies, accredited associations);-Check that they carry the CE mark (glasses certified to ISO 12312-2);
- During the eclipse
-Do not look at the sun for more than three consecutive minutes;
-Take breaks between viewing sessions to rest your eyes;-Pay particular attention to children, who are often less aware of the danger."It is not more dangerous for a child. The issue is simply that a child is harder to control. And if a burn does occur, they will be affected for the rest of their life", explains Dr Frau.
The solar eclipse on Wednesday 12 August will also be visible from northern Spain, Iceland and Greenland. After that, it will be necessary to wait until 2081 to see a similar spectacle cross France again.
