Texas Optometric Association Offers Eye Health Essentials for the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14

AUSTIN, Texas –Ahead of the annular solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14, the Texas Optometric Association (TOA) is sharing tips and information to help Texans prepare for this extremely rare event. During an annular eclipse, the moon will pass over the sun creating a “ring of fire” visual for those within the eclipse’s path. The eclipse will pass over Texas between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., with the “ring of fire” beginning at 11:41 a.m. The eclipse will last for a few seconds to up to five minutes depending on where it is viewed.[1] “We are lucky here in Central Texas to be in the line of the 2023 solar eclipse, but we must view carefully and safely,” said Kumar Patel, OD., President-Elect of TOA. “Texans run the risk of temporary or permanent eye damage, also known as ‘eclipse blindness’from viewing the solar eclipse unsafely, and many times people don’t know that damage has happened until much later.”