Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - We are one month away from the Total Solar Eclipse to sweep through Buffalo. While many likely already have their special eclipse viewing glasses, if you don't, doctors say there's a reason you need them to view the eclipse safely.
Dr. Andrew Reynolds from the University at Buffalo says it's natural why we don't look directly into the sun.
"You look at the sun, you immediately feel pain and light sensitivity, and you look away," said Dr. Reynolds in an interview with WBEN.
The trouble with the eclipse, according to Dr. Reynolds, is when total darkness takes place, it's going to almost turn to night.
"When that happens, you're going to lose a lot of that risk aversion from the sun," Dr. Reynolds explained.
Dr. Reynolds adds even just before total darkness takes place at around 3:18 p.m. ET on April 8, there will still be a high amount of energy coming from the sun, which can cause solar retinopathy, which is actually a small little burn hole through the center part of your retina.
When it comes to viewing the eclipse with regular sunglasses, Dr. Reynolds says it won't be safe to even try and look up at the sun.
"Regular sunglasses block 70%-to-80% of the light, so you're still letting in about 20%-to-25% of the light rays. The solar eclipse glasses, on the other hand, are blocking over 99%. So very, very little light is coming through," Dr. Reynolds said.
He adds if you've already put on the eclipse glasses, they almost look opaque.
"Even on a bright day, if you look out of a window, it looks dark to you. It's really only when you stare at that actually emitting light source do you really get any semblance of light coming through," Dr. Reynolds explained.