Can I use my old eclipse glasses?
Let’s take a look at some important considerations:
Every eclipse chaser has a box somewhere that’s full of eclipse glasses from previous eclipses. It’s guaranteed to happen, because your eclipse glasses are a wonderful memento of that special time you spent in the shadow of the Moon!
Every time there’s another eclipse, we go to our own box of old glasses and wonder whether we should use them – or just buy new ones. Here’s what we think about:
- Do we know where our glasses are?
- Have the glasses expired since we got them?
- Have the glasses been stored in a way that protects them?
- Do the glasses meet current safety standards?
- Do I need more glasses than I have on hand?
- How much would it cost to buy new glasses?
Let’s consider each of these questions in a bit more detail:
Can I find my old glasses?
You’re on your own on this one! We can’t really help you find them. 😏
Have the glasses expired?
This is a difficult question, because many people believe that certified products do not "expire". One of the major manufacturers does not put an expiration date on their glasses, and the other manufacturer writes on them that their glasses expire after three years.
On the NASA website regarding safely viewing the 2017 total solar eclipse, NASA has this to say:
"Note: If your eclipse glasses or viewers are compliant with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, you may look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun through them for as long as you wish. Furthermore, if the filters aren't scratched, punctured, or torn, you may reuse them indefinitely. Some glasses/viewers are printed with warnings stating that you shouldn't look through them for more than 3 minutes at a time and that you should discard them if they are more than 3 years old. Such warnings are outdated and do not apply to eclipse viewers compliant with the ISO 12312-2 standard adopted in 2015. To make sure you get (or got) your eclipse glasses/viewers from a supplier of ISO-compliant products, see the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page."
At this point, we are well within three years to go until the 2024 eclipse for current eclipse glasses orders, so there's no problem in any case with this expiration date issue. (Both major manufacturer's lenses comply with the ISO 12312-2 standard.) But, NASA's advice notwithstanding, if you have old eclipse glasses that have an expiration date that has elapsed, you may choose to follow the manufacturers' advice to discard them and buy new ones. The much, MUCH more important consideration is always going to be:
Have the glasses been safely stored?
Let’s think about it. You used these glasses at the last eclipse, and so you probably sweat all over them, you folded them up, you bent them, you put them in and out of your pocket or purse. They might have gotten food or water spilled on them. And then after the eclipse, they probably got thrown in your luggage or the trunk or the back seat of the car. You got home and eventually you found them and put them… somewhere. Did they go back in the sleeve or the tube or box you got them in? Have they been kept in a climate-controlled environment? Are you certain they haven’t acquired any scratches, creases, or (even worse) tiny pinholes in them? Remember, any damage at all will make them unsafe to use, and so this is a huge consideration for the safety of your eyes. As “professional” eclipse chasers, we all have glasses from many eclipses ago, but we keep them as souvenirs and don't reuse them for subsequent eclipses, even if we think we've stored them properly. You are advised to follow our lead, and do the same. Erring on the side of caution is always the best bet regarding the safety of your eyes!
Do the glasses meet current safety standards?
The ONLY glasses that should ever be used to observe an eclipse are glasses that meet the ISO safety standard. The latest ISO standard was published in 2015, and it is not expected to be updated before 2024. This should therefore not be an issue – but we have to be certain. Eclipse2024.org is in regular contact with the lab that certifies eclipse glasses, and we will stay on top of this for you. If anything changes (and remember, it’s not supposed to), we will be the first to let you know about it!
Do you need more glasses?
Maybe you need more glasses this time, because you have more people to buy for. Maybe you want to get some for people that might have trouble getting them on their own. Maybe you just want to have a new souvenir for this upcoming eclipse! In any case, this is a decision you’ll want to make, and the good news is…
How much do they cost?
Not a lot! Yes, there were all kinds of stories about price-gouging during the 2017 eclipse, but you can shield yourself from that worry if you buy your glasses early.
How early is “early”? Well, in 2017 the demand really started picking up with about a year to go until the eclipse. If you wait to get them, then the price will definitely have gone up and they will start being scarce. (We are already seeing this scarcity!) If you wait till the last month, you will get whatever you can get, and the price will be what it is (unless you get them from Eclipse2024.org – in which case you will ALWAYS get the most fair price possible!). On eclipse weekend, all bets were off – literally!
So we’d say to get them NOW. If you are at all concerned about price, then the earlier you get them, the better!
So, should I get new glasses to replace my old ones?
If your old glasses HAVE an expiration time frame, AND if they have not passed the expiration period, AND if they have NOT been damaged (even slightly), AND if they have been stored safely since you last used them, then you can probably re-use them. But it's much safer to just buy new ones. The new ones meet the current safety standards, they're available, they're new, and they're inexpensive!
Whatever you decide, please make sure you consider the importance of eye safety, and how simple it is to protect your eyes if you do it right!
If you do decide to use your old eclipse glasses (or even if you decide to get new ones!), please make sure you follow all the Instructions for Use of the Eclipse Glasses that we’ve published. If you decide to be like us, and get new ones for every eclipse, then please head on over to our glasses ordering page and…
Order your eclipse glasses TODAY!
Eclipse2024.org wishes everyone “Clear Skies” on eclipse day!
Read about eye safety, and the instructions for use of the eclipse glasses
