Solar Eclipse 2026 UK: How to Watch Safely and Protect Your Eyes
The UK will see a deep partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, with around 90% of the Sun covered in London and about 95% in Cornwall; safe direct viewing requires eclipse glasses with documented conformity to ISO 12312-2 throughout the event.
I am Jorge Peláez, a pharmacist and the founder of Farma2Go. This guide focuses on the part a pharmacy should explain clearly: how to protect your sight, how to check eclipse glasses before use and what to do if you notice a change in vision afterwards.
What to expect from the 2026 solar eclipse in the UK
On Wednesday 12 August 2026, the whole of the UK will see a partial solar eclipse. The path of totality crosses parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, but it does not cross the UK. That distinction is important for eye safety: there will be no point during the UK eclipse when it is safe to look directly at the Sun without suitable protection.
The eclipse will take place in the early evening, with the Sun becoming progressively lower in the western sky. A clear view towards the western horizon will be more useful than simply choosing the highest or darkest location.
- London, Bristol and Cardiff: approximately 6.17 pm to 8.06 pm BST, with maximum eclipse around 7.12 pm.
- Manchester and Liverpool: approximately 6.13 pm to 8.03-8.04 pm, with maximum around 7.10 pm.
- Edinburgh and Glasgow: approximately 6.08 pm to 8.00 pm, with maximum around 7.05 pm.
- Truro, Cornwall: approximately 6.18 pm to 8.10 pm, with maximum around 7.16 pm.
Timings and the percentage of the Sun covered vary by location. The Royal Observatory Greenwich reports roughly 90% coverage from London, about 94% from Pembrokeshire and approximately 95% from Cornwall.
Check the Royal Observatory Greenwich guide and regional timings
Why a partial eclipse can damage your eyes
A mostly covered Sun can still damage the retina. During a partial eclipse, the visible crescent remains intensely bright and can cause a photochemical injury known as solar retinopathy or solar maculopathy.
The macula is the central part of the retina used for reading, recognising faces and seeing fine detail. Retinal damage may occur without immediate pain, so discomfort is not a reliable warning that you have looked for too long.
Possible symptoms include:
- Blurred central vision when reading or looking at faces.
- A dark, grey or blurred spot near the centre of vision.
- Distortion, such as straight lines appearing bent or wavy.
- Changes in colour perception or a difference between the two eyes.
- Unusual sensitivity to light after the event.
Clinical point: symptoms can appear several hours after solar exposure. Recovery varies, and some people are left with persistent changes in central vision. There is no proven treatment that reverses the retinal injury, which is why prevention matters.
How to choose solar eclipse glasses in the UK
Eclipse glasses are specialist solar viewers. They are not ordinary sunglasses with darker lenses.
Look for documented conformity to ISO 12312-2, the standard for filters intended for direct observation of the Sun. At the time of publication, ISO 12312-2:2015 is the current published edition.
For products supplied in the UK, also check for:
- An identifiable manufacturer, importer or responsible supplier.
- Clear safety instructions in English.
- A model, batch or other traceability reference.
- The applicable CE or UKCA conformity marking for Great Britain; Northern Ireland follows CE and, where relevant, UKNI requirements.
- Documentation that relates to the exact model being sold, rather than a generic certificate.
A printed ISO number is useful, but it should not be the only reason you trust the product. Buy from a traceable retailer and avoid unbranded viewers with no instructions or responsible operator details.
Ordinary sunglasses are not suitable
Regular sunglasses do not provide the attenuation required for direct solar viewing, regardless of price, lens category, polarisation or how dark they appear. Wearing several pairs together is not a safe alternative.
Do not use homemade filters
Do not use exposed photographic film, smoked glass, X-ray film, CDs, metallised wrappers or other improvised materials. A material can appear dark while still transmitting harmful radiation.
How to check eclipse glasses before use
Check the glasses when they arrive and again immediately before the eclipse. Do not wait until you are already facing the Sun.
Read the instructions
Check the intended use, storage conditions and any age or reuse limitations stated by the manufacturer.
Inspect the frame
The viewer should sit securely and keep both filters in front of the eyes without slipping.
Inspect both filters
Look for scratches, pinholes, tears, deep creases, loose edges or transparent patches.
Check the filter is firmly attached
The material should not lift away from the frame or move when the glasses are handled normally.
Discard any doubtful pair
Do not repair a damaged filter with tape, adhesive or patches. Replace the entire pair.
How to use eclipse glasses correctly
The order matters: put the glasses on before looking up, and look away before taking them off.
Face away from the Sun
Keep your eyes directed towards the ground while positioning the viewer.
Cover both eyes fully
Make sure the filters remain stable and there are no gaps that encourage you to look around the edge.
Look towards the Sun only after the glasses are secure
Do not adjust or lift the viewer while looking upwards.
Look away before removing them
Turn your head away from the Sun or look down, then take the glasses off.
Children, prescription glasses and contact lenses
Children need continuous adult supervision
Children should practise the viewing sequence before the event. An adult should inspect the filters, check the fit and stay beside the child throughout direct viewing.
- Use one pair per person rather than passing a single viewer between children.
- Explain that the glasses go on before looking up.
- Make sure the child looks away before touching or removing them.
- Use indirect projection if the child cannot follow the sequence reliably.
Can eclipse glasses be worn over prescription spectacles?
Yes. Keep prescription spectacles on and place the eclipse glasses over them, provided the solar filters cover both eyes fully and remain stable. A hand-held solar viewer may be easier for some spectacle wearers.
Contact lenses provide no solar protection
Contact lenses do not protect the retina from direct solar radiation. Contact lens wearers need the same suitable eclipse glasses as everyone else.
Five mistakes to avoid during the eclipse
1. Looking for a few seconds without protection. The visible crescent remains bright enough to injure the retina.
2. Removing the glasses at maximum eclipse. The UK event remains partial from start to finish. There is no safe naked-eye phase.
3. Using ordinary sunglasses or homemade filters. Darkness alone does not show that a filter is safe for direct solar viewing.
4. Looking through a camera, binoculars or telescope. Optical equipment concentrates sunlight and requires a purpose-designed solar filter fitted to the front of the instrument.
5. Sharing one pair while people are looking upwards. Each person should have their own viewer so the protection is in place before they face the Sun.
How to watch without looking directly at the Sun
Indirect projection is a practical option for families, schools and anyone without suitable eclipse glasses.
Make a simple pinhole projector
- Make a small, clean hole in a piece of card.
- Stand with your back to the Sun.
- Allow the sunlight to pass through the hole.
- Project the image onto a second card or another light surface.
- Watch the projected image, not the Sun and not the hole.
A colander can create multiple projected crescents, and gaps between tree leaves act as natural pinhole projectors. In each case, look at the image on the ground or another surface rather than towards the Sun.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich will also provide a free live stream, which is the safest option if cloud, mobility or access makes outdoor viewing difficult.
Your UK eclipse safety checklist
In advance · Arrange one pair per person
Check the product documentation, read the instructions and avoid relying on last-minute stock.
The day before · Inspect the filters and choose a location
Check each pair, review the weather and confirm that the western horizon is open.
Before viewing · Confirm the local timings
Use a reliable astronomy source for your town and explain the viewing sequence to everyone in the group.
During the eclipse · Keep the glasses on for all direct viewing
The eclipse is partial throughout the UK, including at maximum coverage.
Afterwards · Pay attention to any new visual change
Seek urgent professional advice if anyone notices central blur, a spot or distortion after exposure.
- One suitable pair of eclipse glasses per person.
- Filters checked and undamaged.
- Regional timings saved before leaving home.
- A clear western horizon.
- Continuous adult supervision for children.
- A pinhole projector or live stream as a backup.
- Water, a hat and normal skin sun protection for time spent outdoors.
Solar eclipse glasses available from Farma2Go
The distributor of the SFG solar eclipse glasses supplied by Farma2Go has provided verifiable documentation for ISO 12312-2:2015 for the model being sold.
This documentation review does not replace checking each pair before use. Read the instructions, inspect the filters and discard any damaged viewer.
Farma2Go sells the glasses referred to in this guide. We state this clearly so that the safety information is not presented as an independent product review.
View SFG solar eclipse glasses, 1 pair
What to do if your vision changes after the eclipse
New visual symptoms after looking at the Sun should not be ignored, even if there is no pain.
Seek urgent advice if you notice:
- New blurred central vision.
- A dark, grey or blurred spot.
- Straight lines appearing bent or wavy.
- Difficulty reading or recognising fine detail.
- Altered colour vision.
- Unusual light sensitivity.
Contact NHS 111, an urgent eye-care service or an optometrist for advice. Do not drive if your vision is affected. If symptoms are severe or sight changes suddenly, follow NHS urgent eye-injury guidance.
Do not attempt to treat a possible retinal injury with lubricating drops, supplements or home remedies. Eye drops may ease surface dryness, but they do not treat solar retinopathy.
Frequently asked questions
Scientific references
