Before April 8, make sure your solar eclipse glasses are from a safe brand.
Cheap fakes from online marketplaces pose a threat to your eye safety, according Yao “Henry” Jin, associate professor of supply chain management at Miami University.
The American Astronomical Society has specifically warned against buying eclipse glasses at the lowest price from online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
While counterfeit products can be found at brick-and-mortar shops, they’re an especially big problem at online marketplaces. Amazon removed more than 6 million counterfeit items from its supply chain in 2022 alone, according to Miami University.
American Astronomical Society recommends
- Buying from their approved list of brands and manufacturers, though many of those brands only sell in bulk.
- If you receive free glasses, you can verify the brand against that same brand and manufacturers list.
- If you must buy from an online marketplace, look for evidence of manufacturer authorization. For instance, American Paper Optics – an American Astronomical Society-approved brand – maintains a list of Amazon sellers approved for reselling their viewers.
- If you’ve already bought something from a no-name seller on Amazon, many local opticians can test your sunglasses’ UV protection properties in seconds.
